The Jets can breathe a sigh of relief about defensive end Leonard Williams.
The first-round pick was forced from Saturday night’s victory over the Giants with a knee injury. X-rays taken on Saturday night came back negative and there are multiple reports that a subsequent MRI showed no ligament damage.
Williams has been diagnosed with a muscle strain behind his knee and the team does not believe it will be a long-term injury. Williams will have two weeks to recover before the Jets start the regular season with a game against the Browns.
As long as he’s healthy, Williams will be in the starting lineup with Muhammad Wilkerson at defensive end while Sheldon Richardson begins serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Williams has looked up to the task this summer and the Jets defense looked strong across the board while holding the Giants starters to seven points and scoring a touchdown of their own on an Antonio Cromartie interception return.