Jets WR Mike Williams on return to field: 'It felt good'

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams joined his new teammates on the practice field Thursday, marking his first appearance since signing a one-year deal in March.

Williams, 29, has been working his way back after tearing his ACL last season while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Jets to open training camp before being activated on Wednesday.

"It felt good. I've been working off to the side for some time now just to do individual (drills) with the group. It felt good," Williams said. "Putting on shoulder pads, running with the guys. It felt good."

Williams, however, said it's been a tough journey to work his way back in his recovery.

"A grind, for sure. I'd say this whole process has been a grind," he said. "Putting the work in, early mornings, late nights, just trying to get back right."

Jets coach Robert Saleh said Williams is "a lot further ahead than we anticipated" in his recovery.

For his part, Williams wasn't going to get ahead of himself when asked about his availability for the Jets' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9.

"We'll see," he said.

The Chargers made him a salary cap casualty after his first seven seasons with the club. Williams was due to make $17 million in the final season of his three-year deal with Los Angeles before he was released in March.

Williams sustained the knee injury in Week 3 of the 2023 season, which ended with 19 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown in three starts. In 88 career games (62 starts), he has racked up 309 catches for 4,806 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and 31 touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown.

The Chargers selected Williams seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

--Field Level Media