Avery Williamson’s second year with the New York Jets ends prematurely, as the inside linebacker tore his ACL in Atlanta.
The New York Jets won Thursday night’s preseason tilt in Atlanta, but suffered a major loss on defense.
Inside linebacker Avery Williamson left the game in the second quarter, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that he suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. The injury was revealed during an MRI on Friday.
The team has yet to confirm.
From our breaking news segment on @nflnetwork: The #Jets lose one of their signal-callers and leaders LB Avery Williamson to a torn ACL. He's out for the season. pic.twitter.com/QRreP3g2Bo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2019
Williamson left with under four minutes left in the first half. As the Jets tried to stop a late Atlanta trek to the end zone, Williamson was struck by the helmet of cornerback Tevaughn Campbell. Williamson walked back gingerly to the sidelines and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The linebacker spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans before inking a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Jets in March 2018. Williamson tallied a team-best 120 tackles in his debut Jets season. He also put up three sacks and one interception, his first since September 2016.
Williamson, 27, had four tackles and a sack on Thursday against the Falcons. It was one of five sacks the Jets earned in a 22-10 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Jets return to preseason action on August 24, taking on the New Orleans Saints at home (7:30 p.m. ET, WCBS).
