Team news: New York Jets

Mike Williams available in Week 1, Saleh says. Had a nice day in practice today, with 4/5 catches, per Saleh. So there you have it: Mike Williams will play vs SF.

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley

If everyone is healthy, namely Aaron Rodgers, the Jets could be interesting in fantasy for the first time in decades. Williams could carve out a role as a fantasy WR3 with upside for more.

Wide receiver Mike Williams is set for his next step back to a full workload on Tuesday.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said, via multiple reporters, that Williams will begin working in team drills for the first time since signing with the team as a free agent this offseason. Williams is returning from the torn ACL he suffered while playing for the Chargers last season.

Williams remains on schedule as reports over the past two weeks pointed to Williams getting back to team drills this week. Now, Williams and the Jets have a little under two weeks before they open the regular season against the 49ers on Monday, Sept. 9. Williams is expected to slide right into the team's WR2 spot when he's ready to go.

Jets receiver Mike Williams returned to practice Aug. 7 when he passed his physical. But he has only participated in individual drills at practice, while running routes on the side as he works his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Williams said Monday that he expected to be cleared for team drills soon.

Williams was quoted in the story, saying, “I think next week I’m going to be doing some team. Just getting in the rhythm of doing things with the team and lining up and going through some plays.” This falls in line with what we reported last week that Williams was a couple weeks away from team drills. When he's ready to go, he'll line up as the team's WR2 and a WR3 overall for fantasy, but comes with risks.

Mike Williams is still a couple of weeks away from jumping in with team drills according to Robert Saleh.

The team went on to say they just want to be careful when bringing back Williams. Williams should serve as a nice complement to Garrett Wilson. He averaged 83 yards per game in three games last year after back-to-back productive seasons in 2021 (76-1146-9) and 2022 (63-895-4). If he can stay healthy, he'll be in the WR3 mix as Aaron Rodgers' No. 2 option in the passing game.

The Jets activated WR Mike Williams from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after he passed his physical.

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley

This doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a full-go by Week 1 but it's a step in the right direction. If everyone is healthy, namely Aaron Rodgers, the Jets could be interesting in fantasy for the first time in decades. Williams could carve out a role as a fantasy WR3 with upside for more.

Malachi Corley still has a “long way to go” with his route running, Robert Saleh said. The next two weeks will be good for him because he’ll see extra reps with Xavier Gipson hurt (leg injury).

Extra reps are certainly not a bad sign, but it's still up in the air how much fantasy usage the rookie will have in 2024. If Gipson were to miss extended time —with Mike Williams' availability still up in the air— Corley could scoot up fantasy rankings a little bit.

The Jets announced Thursday that Mike Williams will begin training camp on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list alongside fullback Nick Bawden and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, Allen Lazard

Locker goes on to state, "In mid-June, head coach Robert Saleh said Williams, 29, likely will follow a similar recovery that running back Breece Hall took last year after his torn ACL, meaning limited snaps until the regular season begins."

With the WR's ADP falling into the 11th round and later, he's worth a stab to gamble on a return to form from Aaron Rodgers.

Braelon Allen, a 2024 fourth-round pick, wasn't known for his receiving in college -- only 49 catches in three seasons at Wisconsin -- but he demonstrated plenty of ability in OTAs and minicamp. He showed excellent ball skills and terrific body control. He's 235 pounds, yet he was able to split out and play like a smaller back. "If you go back and watch his tape at Wisconsin, he caught the ball well," Jets running backs coach Tony Dews said. Allen has a chance to be Breece Hall's primary backup.

Related Players: Isaiah Davis, Israel Abanikanda

There was slight concern that Allen would only be a rotational goal line back but if he flashes some receiving skills, he could have slight standalone value. He's the back to keep an eye on if anything were to happen to Hall.

"He's got a long way to go," Saleh said about Mike Williams' recovery from injury. "He's on the same timeline that Breece Hall had. They're very similar injuries, same timeframe. Speaking with Mike, he knows he's got a road to trek, but at the same time, if he does it the right way, we're very confident that we'll have them ready for Week 1."

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson

If the team truly does view the injuries in the same light, we could see a sort of pitch count for Williams to begin the season. Hall had season-lows in snap counts in Week 1 (17) and Week 2 (16) before getting back to his full workload. Regardless, the former Chargers receiver fits very well in this offense and should pop up with WR2 weeks throughout the year.

Jets are signing free-agent RB Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal. Cohen was one of the NFL’s top return specialists and a receiving threat before injuries derailed his career. Cohen last played in the NFL in 2020, but now will attempt his comeback with the Jets.

Related Players: Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis

It feels like ages ago, but Cohen does have back-to-back 70+ reception seasons on his resume. If he can make the final roster, he could be able to take advantage of the new kickoff rules for the Jets. He shouldn't be considered a fantasy option at this point.