Jets make move everyone knew was coming after disastrous MNF performance

The New York Jets have made a notable roster move following a costly performance on Monday Night Football. The team has released wide receiver and kick returner Isaiah Williams, who committed two pivotal errors during the team's 27–21 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.

Williams fumbled a kick return to start the second half and later made a questionable fair catch on the Jets' 3-yard line, both of which contributed to the team's special-teams blunders in the game.

In a corresponding move, the Jets have signed linebacker Mykal Walker from the practice squad to the active roster. Walker, a 2020 fourth-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons, brings experience to the linebacker corps.

Additionally, safety Dean Clark and running back/return specialist Avery Williams have been elevated from the practice squad. Avery Williams, in particular, has a strong track record as a return specialist, with 54 career kick returns and 58 punt returns.

Jets cut Isaiah Williams after Monday Night Football malpractice

The Jets signed Isaiah Williams off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad following a Week 1 injury to Kene Nwangwu and the release of Xavier Gipson. Williams failed to make a positive impact in his three games with the Jets, averaging just 23 yards per kick return.

His two critical errors in Monday's loss effectively sealed his fate. The Jets had hoped to see Nwangwu back on the field this Sunday after he was a limited participant in practice last week, but he was unable to practice this week and is now listed as questionable. The expectation is that he will miss another game.

That means the Jets will likely trot out yet another kick returner this week, their seventh in just five games. Avery Williams was a fifth-round pick of the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft and was signed to the Jets' practice squad just one day ago on Friday.

Williams was originally drafted as a cornerback before switching to the offensive side of the ball to play running back. That said, he's played almost exclusively on special teams in his career.

The former Boise State standout returned 20 punts for 185 yards and 15 kicks for 408 yards in 17 games with the Falcons in 2024. Williams led the NFL, averaging 16.2 yards per punt return in 2022 before missing the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL.

More notably, Williams has only fumbled once on 112 career returns at the NFL level. He's also never been credited with a muff, at least according to Pro Football Focus.

The Jets will hope that the newest Williams can put an end to their cycle of failed return specialists this season. He can't be much worse than Isaiah Williams, right?

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