The New York Jets made the surprising decision to bench veteran linebacker Quincy Williams during the Week 9 bye. Despite making that decision, Williams quickly played his way back into head coach Aaron Glenn’s good graces.
It was the wake-up call the former All-Pro linebacker needed.
Williams started the first three contests of the campaign before landing on injured reserve due to shoulder injury suffered in the Jets’ defeat to the Buccaneers in Week 3.
Williams returned to the starting lineup for the Week 8 victory over the Bengals, but was later told he’d be benched for underperforming. It didn’t stick.
Williams ended up playing 52 snaps versus the Cleveland Browns in a Week 10 win. That accounted for 71% of the Jets’ defensive plays. Rookie linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, who was among the possibilities to replace Williams, played zero snaps against the Browns. Mykal Walker earned 21 snaps.
Williams played another 64 snaps versus the Patriots during prime-time football.
The former Murray State standout recorded eight tackles in back-to-back starts. Williams also registered a sack in the Browns triumph, and routinely made plays around the backfield in the run game.
Williams has played his way back into the Jets’ starting lineup.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: How Quincy Williams played his way back into the Jets’ good graces
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
