NEW YORK _ The Jets suffered a tough blow when MRI results revealed that starting inside linebacker Avery Williamson suffered a torn ACL in the second preseason game against the Falcons on Thursday night, according to a source.
Williamson was hurt when cornerback Tevaughn Campbell collided with him in the end zone in pass coverage. Williamson was playing longer than the rest of the starters due to personnel package considerations, according to Jets coach Adam Gase.
"Everybody's slotted for a different amount of snaps," Gase said after the game. "Some guys ... we're trying to get with certain packages, and you're a 1 in this group, a 2 in this group. The last two weeks, he's kind of stayed in there a little longer.
"That's how we roll it. Some guys play a little longer than others."
Williamson moved from Mike (middle) to Will (weakside) linebacker after the Jets signed C.J. Mosley this offseason.
Neville Hewitt, who played well late last season during Darron Lee's suspension, appears in line to replace Williamson, who was entering the second year of his three-year contract.
