NEW YORK — New York Jets standout defensive lineman Quinnen Williams broke a bone in a foot and is expected to have surgery and be sidelined eight to 10 weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the injury.
Williams was hurt last week during on-field workouts at the team’s facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, the person told The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the Jets didn’t announce the injury.
NFL Network first reported Williams’ injury. He is expected to miss organized team activities and minicamp, but should be healthy in time for the start of training camp in late July.
The 23-year-old Williams had a breakout second NFL season as one of the team’s few standouts during a miserable 2-14 campaign. The No. 3 overall draft pick in 2019 led the Jets with seven sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for losses to go along with 55 total tackles and two forced fumbles. He missed the final two games with a concussion and neck injury.
Williams is one of new coach Robert Saleh’s key pieces on defense as the leader on a line that is expected to be a strength for New York.
DRAFT: Given that the nation remains in a pandemic, the NFL is more than satisfied with being able to attract 160,000 fans to the draft in Cleveland last week.
While those numbers pale in comparison to what the three-day draft drew in previous years in Nashville and Philadelphia, they also reflect the necessary health and safety protocols the league observed.
BROWNS: The Browns bulked up their defensive line, signing veteran tackle Damion Square.
Square spent the past seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 32-year-old hasn’t missed a game the past four years.
RAVENS: The Baltimore Ravens signed two-time Pro Bowl tackle Alejandro Villanueva to a two-year deal.
The long-time starter for the division-rival Steelers, Villanueva was not re-signed by Pittsburgh.
A graduate of West Point, Villanueva spent six seasons with the Steelers, playing in 96 games with 90 starts. He has the second-longest active streak among NFL tackles with 96 consecutive games players and has started every game over the past five seasons.
BRONCOS: A person with knowledge of the injury tells The Associated Press that right tackle Ja’Wuan James sustained a torn Achilles tendon while working out away from the Denver Broncos’ facilities.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said James’ $10 million salary for 2021 is in jeopardy because the injury occurred off-site.
James is among dozens of Broncos and hundreds of NFL players leaguewide who are boycotting voluntary offseason work at team facilities this spring. Players have cited concerns over COVID-19 safety protocols, but also are pushing for a reduced offseason schedule after last year’s virtual offseason led to fewer injuries.
Had James gotten hurt at the team’s facilities, his salary would have been covered.
RAIDERS: The Las Vegas Raiders signed free-agent cornerback Casey Hayward to a one-year deal, adding needed experience to a young secondary that has struggled in recent years.
The deal reunites Hayward with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Hayward had been linked to the Raiders ever since being released by the Chargers in March.
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