REPORT: Jets starting linebacker Avery Williamson (torn ACL) out for entire 2019 season
The New York Jets were dealt a major blow to their defense on Friday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that starting inside linebacker Avery Williamson is out for the season after sustaining a torn ACL on Thursday during the Jets' game at the Falcons.
An MRI confirmed the details.
Williamson collided with teammate Tevaughn Campbell in the second quarter and walked off with the assistance of the training staff. Rapoport reports that Williamson walked out of the locker room on his own power, leading him to initially believe the injury wasn't serious.
Many are questioning why Jets coach Adam Gase had Williamson still in the game at the time of his injury. Williamson remained with the backups to collect four tackles and a sack in 27 snaps prior to the injury.
“Everybody’s slotted for a different amount of snaps,” Gase said. “Some guys we’re trying to get with certain packages, and you’re a 1 in this group, a 2 in this group. The last two weeks, he’s kind of stayed in there a little longer.”
Williamson has played in all 16 games for the last three seasons and has never missed more than one game in a season during his five-year career. In 2018, which was his first season with the Jets, Williamson amassed 120 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Williamson is in the second year of a three-year, $22 million deal with the Jets.
In the meantime while the Jets assess how to proceed, they'll turn to Neville Hewitt to fill the void. This is a tough situation for the Jets but the season must go on and Hewitt is the next man up.
