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Mike Williams has had some great performances throughout his seven NFL seasons. In 2021, he had a career-high 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Since then, injuries derailed his promising performance.
After playing 13 games in 2022, a torn ACL limited him to three games last season. He finished with 19 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown. That injury may have affected the Los Angeles Chargers' decision to release him early in the 2024 offseason.
Luckily for him, the New York Jets gave him a lease on his football career via a one-year contract, but will he be healthy in time for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers?
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Is Mike Williams Injured or Healthy?
The former Clemson standout suffered the injury during the Chargers' 2023 Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings. While Los Angeles' AFC team won that contest, Williams went down late in the third quarter after gaining 11 yards on a screen pass.
His injury was one of the setbacks that contributed to the Chargers' 5-12 season. If there's a saving grace to the situation, he got injured early. With the recovery period for ACL injuries taking up to 12 months, there's a chance Williams could be ready by opening weekend.
The Jets can be optimistic about Williams' Week 1 availability after he shared that he's slightly ahead in his rehab three months after surgery. However, it would be understandable if the Jets were cautious about his return. In a press conference during the Jets' mandatory minicamp, Williams proclaimed that he would be ready soon.
"For the season, for sure. That's my goal, to be able to go out there and play this season and give it my all, give this team a chance. Win the big thing."
Mike Williams says he thinks he'll be ready for the regular season: pic.twitter.com/JleLViGZxw
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 12, 2024
Mike Williams Fantasy Outlook
Williams has been a reliable big-play WR2 who lined up with Keenan Allen throughout his career. While the timetable for his return remains uncertain, he will finish with better numbers as long as he remains healthy.
Garrett Wilson will still be the Jets' top wideout after finishing with his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. However, four-time NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers will put Williams in a position to succeed, mainly when Wilson attracts an additional defender.
We're so excited about Garrett Wilson with Malachi Corley, & rightfully so, but don't forget about Mike Williams, who the #Jets said will be ready for week one
In 2021 & 2022 Mike Williams played the majority of both those seasons & put up 2,041 yards, 14.7 YPC, & 13 TDs
If… pic.twitter.com/MYPgvIe1Q8
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) May 13, 2024
That said, RotoBaller's Nick Mariano ranked Mike Williams as WR40 and 85th overall coming into the 2024 NFL season. Mariano projected Williams to have 58 receptions for 800 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers make him an ideal WR2 or a high-end WR3 on any fantasy football roster.
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