Leonard Williams Injury: Updates on Jets DE's Knee and Return

New York Jets rookie defensive end Leonard Williams exited the third preseason game against the New York Giants with a knee strain. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported X-rays came back negative and Williams avoided a major knee injury.

Head coach Todd Bowles said he was "hopeful" Williams will be ready for the start of the regular season, via Seth Walder of the New York Daily News, while Williams said he will "definitely" be ready for Week 1 and will only need five to seven days to recover, per Walder. Williams proved to be correct as he was declared active against the Cleveland Browns.

"I was really concerned because I never felt any pain in my knees before," Williams said on Aug. 31, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. "As soon as I felt that, I made sure I went to speak to the trainer right away. I was pretty concerned about it, especially when they took me to the X-ray room. That's when I got pretty nervous. But I'm glad everything is all right."

Williams was the No. 6 overall pick in the most recent NFL draft. Speculation suggested that the former USC star could be a potential replacement for Muhammad Wilkerson, who is in a contract year.

Williams has been manning Sheldon Richardson's normal spot in the starting lineup in the wake of the defensive lineman's suspension and has taken advantage of the opportunity so far. He recorded two sacks against the Atlanta Falcons in the team's second preseason contest.

Between the problems Richardson is facing off the field and this injury to Williams, New York's depth up front is suddenly being put to the test.

The good news is that the Jets are stacked in the secondary as well. Superstar Darrelle Revis and fellow cornerback Antonio Cromartie returned in free agency. New York also added Buster Skrine from Cleveland to help out on the back end.