Jets lose critical piece with Avery Williamson injury

The New York Jets are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Part of that plan is Avery Williamson. Thursday night’s action didn’t help.

On Friday afternoon, it was reported inside linebacker Avery Williamson tore his ACL in a preseason affair with the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium, ending his season. The loss of Williamson is an enormous blow to the Jets. They were counting on the veteran to anchor the defensive unit alongside free-agent signing C.J. Mosley.

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Avery Williamson, 27, sone of the more underrated players in the game. After being drafted in 2014 by the Tennessee Titans, the University of Kentucky product notched 79 tackles as a rookie. In the four years since, Williamson has missed only one game. As well as that, he’s totaled at least 92 tackles in each season, eclipsing 100 tackles in three of the campaigns. Last year, his first with New York, Williamson amassed a career-high 120 tackles. He’s also a good pass-rusher from the inside, with 14.5 career sacks.

For New York, the loss of Williamson will most impact the defense. That part of the team is trying to grow into one of the league’s best units. Mosley is a phenomenal player and a four-year veteran, but this is his first season with the Jets. While everyone is in a new defensive scheme under coordinator Gregg Williams, Mosley doesn’t have the familiarity with other stars such as Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams.

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Williamson’s absence also puts more stress on the offense. However, that group is far better equipped to take on the challenge this year.

Sam Darnold is entering his second year as the starting quarterback and looks poised in the early going under new head coach Adam Gase. Additionally, the receiving corps is solid with the trio of Jamison Crowder, Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa. Factor in the major free-agent signing of running back Le’Veon Bell and the eventual contribution of tight end Chris Herndon (he’s suspended the first four games of the season) and New York has a chance to outscore teams in a way it couldn’t in previous campaigns.

Ultimately, the Jets will have to overcome a tough loss in the preseason. New York has time to adjust to the new lineup and will have a chance to pick up a veteran or two when training camp rosters are cut from 90 active players to 53 before the start of the regular season.