The New York Jets activated Mike Williams off the physically unable to perform list this week, allowing the wideout to participate in individual drills for the first time in Green.
Coach Robert Saleh noted that Williams, coming off a torn ACL, is ahead of schedule, but the club will keep him out of team drills for at least the next few weeks.
"The good news is obviously he's a lot further ahead than we anticipated," Saleh said Thursday . "If I'm not mistaken, he was out at individual and some route-running stuff early, so that's going to kind of be his progression. He'll be involved in all of the walkthroughs, individual, routes on air.
"So, for the next week or two, that's about the extent of what we'll see unless he starts feeling good. But we're anticipating him getting back into team work, call it a couple of weeks from now."
Williams suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3 last season. He was released by the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason after refusing a pay cut and landed with Gang Green.
"It felt good," Williams said of his return. "I've been working off to the side for some time. Now just to do individuals with the group, it felt good. Putting on shoulder pads, running with the guys felt good."
Activating Williams ahead of schedule gives the wideout a better chance to hit the ground running in Week 1. While he won't do team drills yet, he can still work with Aaron Rodgers to build chemistry.
Williams was added as a key piece this offseason for an offense looking to bounce back from last season's disaster.
"I'm looking forward to it," Williams said. "I feel like I help the offense, I help this team explosively in the passing game, block outside on the edge for the backs, and put some points on the board."
