NY Jets news: Quinnen Williams injury, Bryce Huff with the backups, major AFC East shakeup

The NY Jets traveled to Charlotte for a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday ahead of the team's preseason meeting this weekend, and star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was not among those who participated.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that Williams would be sidelined for Thursday's practice with a "sore shoulder" but that the team was not concerned at this time.

Saleh insisted that "if this were a game week" Williams would be practicing. The Jets just didn't want to take any unnecessary risks with their star defensive tackle. Right now, this doesn't seem to be a major issue.

Williams was joined on the sideline by nickel cornerback Michel Carter II, who remains out with an ankle injury that is not expected to carry into the regular season. If Saleh's prognosis is accurate, expect to see Williams back in practice as soon as next week.

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Bryce Huff playing with the backups

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in their second preseason game of the summer on Thursday, and while the team rested almost all of their starters, one notable former Jets player was in uniform.

Prized offseason addition Bryce Huff was dressed along with the backup defensive linemen in Philadelphia's preseason contest on Thursday. Huff was the only member of the team's projected "starting" five defensive to appear in the game.

To Huff's credit, he emerged as one of the team's most prominent standouts, recording a team-high four tackles on just two drives. The former undrafted free agent impressed both when rushing the passer and when defending the run.

It's possible the Eagles simply wanted to get an extended look at Huff, who is being asked to play an expanded role that includes dropping back into coverage at times this season. That said, it's not often you see a guy getting paid $17 million per season playing with the backups.

Bills lose Matt Milano to injury

The landscape of the AFC East may have shifted on Thursday following the news that Buffalo Bills star linebacker Matt Milano would be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a torn biceps in practice this week.

Milano appeared in just five games for the Bills last season before fracturing his leg and missing the remainder of the year. Now, Milano is set to miss essentially the entire regular season at a minimum. He reportedly has a chance to return no earlier than mid-to-late December.

This is a massive blow to a Bills team that will be relying on their defense to mask some of their offensive flaws in 2024. When healthy, Milano and Terrel Bernard form one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL. It's hard to overestimate the value Milano provides to the Bills' defense.

The injury, while awful and deeply unfortunate for Milano and the Bills, could open the door even wider for the Jets and Miami Dolphins to make a run at the AFC East crown this season.