NFL teams
Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Leonard Williams has no ligament damage in knee, according to MRI

NFL, New York Jets

New York Jets rookie defensive end Leonard Williams, who gave the franchise a scare with a knee injury Saturday night against the New York Giants, didn't suffer any ligament damage, a Sunday morning MRI revealed.

Williams, the sixth overall pick in the draft, sustained a muscle strain behind the knee. Although it is not considered a long-term injury, Williams' availability for the regular-season opener in two weeks is unclear.

The Jets were hopeful late Saturday night that the injury wasn't serious. An X-ray was negative, and the preliminary sense was that no ligaments were damaged.

The Jets are counting on Williams to start at defensive end. That wasn't the plan when they drafted him, but everything changed in early July, when Sheldon Richardson received a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Williams started the first three preseason games, recording 1.5 sacks [including a safety]. Richardson has been playing primarily with the backups.

If Williams isn't ready for Week 1, he likely would be replaced by Stephen Bowen or Leger Douzable.

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