Jets Put Williams on IR; Fields in Protocol

The New York Jets placed starting linebacker Quincy Williams on injured reserve with a shoulder injury suffered in Sunday’s 29-27 loss to the Buccaneers; he will miss at least four games beginning Monday’s matchup against the Dolphins. The injury occurred late in the second quarter—Williams logged four tackles and a half-sack before exiting—and is not expected to be season-ending. To bolster depth the team signed linebacker Mark Robinson off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who replaced Williams in the game, could see an expanded role. Williams, a former first-team All-Pro and four-season 100-plus-tackle producer, has 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks through three games this year. His absence further strains a defense that is 0-3 and among the NFL’s worst in points allowed, and the team also faces additional injury uncertainty at quarterback with Justin Fields in concussion protocol ahead of the next game.