The Jets' defense got a welcome boost last week with the return of veteran outside linebacker Quincy Williams, who was placed on the injured list after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Week 3 game at Tampa Bay. He missed four games.
He was activated for last week's victory at Cincinnati, bringing his speed and energy to the second tier of the defense and easing a bit of the linebacking burden on MLB Jamien Sherwood. An added bonus is that Williams was on the field at the end, when the Jets stopped the Bengals to secure the Jets first win of the season and first under HC Aaron Glenn.
"It felt good just seeing happiness on his face," Williams, 29, said afterward.
Overall in the 39-38 win, Williams played 52-of-59 snaps on defense (88%), the exact same as his brother DL Quinnen Williams. He checked in with 7 tackles, the same number as slot CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., and 1 less than rookie DB Malachi Moore. Williams also had a TFL and 2 passes defended.
Friendly and outgoing, Williams has cemented a lot of relationships with the Green & White since being plucked off the waiver wire before the start of the 2021 season after two seasons with Jacksonville. In each of his four complete seasons with the Jets, Williams has logged more than 100 tackles and earned first-team All-Pro notice from The Associated Press after his 138-tackle (95 solo) performance in 2023. That season he also had 2 sacks, 10 PD, 2 forced fumbles and 15 TFL.