Jets roster move hints at concerning update on Quincy Williams injury

New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams was forced to exit in the first half of Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a shoulder injury and was unable to return.

The former All-Pro linebacker was down in obvious pain for a few moments before being taken to the locker room just before halftime. The injury didn’t look good at the time, and the Jets’ latest roster move hints that they may be preparing to be without Williams for a while.

The Jets signed linebacker Mark Robinson off the New England Patriots' practice squad on Tuesday, just two days after Williams' injury. The team will be forced to make a corresponding move, and it's fair to wonder if that could involve placing their star linebacker on the injured reserve.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn declined to provide an update on Williams' status when speaking to reporters after Sunday's game or on Monday, instead insisting that further testing was required. This move, however, suggests the Jets know something they haven't publicly revealed yet.

Jets sign LB Mark Robinson as Quincy Williams injury concerns loom

Robinson was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ole Miss product spent the first three years of his career in Pittsburgh, primarily serving as a core special-teamer.

Robinson appeared in all 34 games with the Steelers between 2023 and 2024, playing over 600 total special-teams snaps, although he was on the field for just eight defensive snaps this past season.

The 26-year-old was signed to the New England Patriots' practice squad in August after he was waived as part of Pittsburgh's final roster cuts, and he was elevated for each of New England's first three games in 2025. Robinson has played 37 snaps this season, all on special teams.

If Williams is forced to miss time, the Jets will likely turn to the duo of Marcelino McCrary-Ball and rookie Francisco Mauigoa to replace him in the starting lineup. McCrary-Ball should step in as the new starting WILL linebacker alongside Jamien Sherwood in the team's nickel defense.

McCrary-Ball and Mauigoa held their own when thrust into action on Sunday, with both players posting Pro Football Focus grades of 70.0+. Mauigoa's 78.4 PFF coverage grade was the highest on the team, albeit on just four coverage snaps. McCrary-Ball recorded five tackles (0 missed), two pressures, and two run stops.

Other options on the roster include veteran special-teams ace Cam Jones, as well as former Atlanta Falcons fourth-round pick Mykal Walker and 2024 undrafted rookie Jackson Sirmon, both of whom are on the practice squad.

Still, there's no replacing the intensity of Williams, who was putting together an impressive performance prior to his injury. And given Sherwood's struggles this season, the Jets can ill-afford to lose another high-level defensive player.

Jets fans will continue to await official word on Williams' injury status, but the team's latest roster move isn't a particularly encouraging sign.

Update: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is reporting that Williams is expected to miss time due to his shoulder injury. The belief is that it's not season-ending, but he will be "down for a while," per Pelissero.

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