NY Jets news: Mike Williams update, Jets sign veteran RB, multiple new injuries
- Mike Williams is back!
- Jets sign a veteran RB
- Ashtyn Davis, Chris Glaser injured
By Justin Fried
The NY Jets' wide receiver room received some significant and welcomed news on Wednesday when the team officially activated Mike Williams off the active/PUP list.
Williams is returning from a torn ACL he suffered in September of last year and was expected to be activated at some point before the regular season. The Jets insisted Williams was ahead of schedule in his rehab, and his early activation supports that notion.
For reference, Breece Hall, who the Jets have compared Williams' rehab timeline to, wasn't activated until Aug. 15 of last year. Williams has returned an entire week before Hall and will now begin the process of acclimating himself before Week 1 arrives.
Don't expect to see Williams return to practice fully or participate in a live preseason game yet, but the Jets' wide receiver room is now one step closer to being healthy for the regular season. This is big news.
More NY Jets news:
Jets sign veteran RB Deon Jackson
The Jets worked out a host of running backs in the days following Tarik Cohen's surprise retirement including veteran Deon Jackson. On Wednesday, the Jets officially announced that they had signed the former Indianapolis Colts running back, waiving undrafted rookie wide receiver Hamze El-Zayat with an injury designation.
The Colts originally signed Jackson as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft, and he'd go on to appear in 27 games for the team over the next three years.
Jackson saw his biggest opportunity come in 2022 when he briefly started in place of the injured Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. He finished that season with 68 carries for 236 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson will compete with the likes of Israel Abanikanda and Xazavian Valladay for the fourth running back spot on the depth chart behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis. He has a chance to stick around if he impresses in the preseason.
Ashtyn Davis, Chris Glaser injured in practice
Two Jets players left Tuesday's practice early with injuries, and it's unclear at this time how significant either is. Safety Ashtyn Davis and offensive lineman Chris Glaser were both spotted leaving the field with trainers during Tuesday's practice.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke virtually to reporters on Wednesday and revealed that Davis had suffered a rib injury. Glaser's injury remains undisclosed. Further testing is being conducted on both players to determine the severity.
Davis is expected to play a role as the Jets' third safety and as a core special-teamer this season. Veteran Isaiah Oliver would be next in line if Davis is forced to miss any time due to injury.
Glaser is competing for a roster spot as one of the Jets' backup offensive linemen. He's been practicing at both guard and center in the hope of securing a roster spot over players like Jake Hanson and Xavier Newman.