Mike Williams barely broke a sweat in his Jets debut.
The receiver played just nine snaps and had zero targets in Monday night’s loss to the 49ers as he continues to work on his recovery from major knee surgery last October.
The Jets have said they will bring Williams back slowly, and they’ve clearly shown they are taking a patient approach.
“They told me I was going to be limited the first two or three games,” Williams told The Post on Thursday. “It’s just building up slowly. It’s what I expected.”
Williams was brought in during the offseason as a complement to No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson.
The 29-year-old wideout has two 1,000-yard seasons, catching 63 passes for 895 yards and four touchdowns in his final full season in 2022.
When asked about the team’s inability to properly utilize Williams, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said it was because the offense didn’t have enough time on the field.
“We have to convert on third downs and not have 3-and-outs to get everyone involved,” Hackett said.
Williams figures his snap count could increase slightly against the Titans on Sunday.
He was glad to at least get a little run around in the opener.
“I hadn’t been on the field for a year,” Williams said. “It was nice to be back out there.”
Connor McGovern was smiling all day Thursday.
The veteran offensive lineman is back where he belongs.
The Jets signed McGovern to their practice squad on Wednesday.
McGovern, 31, appeared in seven games for the Jets last season before being placed on the injured list Oct. 31 with a dislocated left kneecap and a torn medial collateral ligament.
He has been with the team since 2020, making 55 starts during that time.
McGovern said he was willing to quit, but when the Jets called, he couldn’t turn them down.
“I really missed those guys, I really missed being around the building and being around this organization,” McGovern said. “As soon as they gave me the opportunity to come back, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to come back.’
“After I got hurt, I called my wife and said, ‘That’s it. I’m done.’ My agent said, ‘No, no, there’s a spot for me somewhere. Get healthy and come back and get ready for your opportunity.’ I was really excited when this opportunity came. And this is a special place and a special organization. I feel like this is my team and I’m glad to be back.”
Cornerbacks DJ Reed (knee) and Michael Carter Jr. (ankle) were limited in practice Thursday.
Defensive lineman Michael Clemons (triceps) and offensive tackle Tyrone Smith (rest) were also limited. Javon Kinlaw (personal reasons) did not practice.
