DETROIT — It was about a year ago when Isaiah Williams fumbled a punt and made a poor fair catch decision against the Dolphins. A week later, the Jets cut him but quickly brought him back and he ended up becoming the team MVP.
Williams had another bad day last week against the Packers in the rain when he muffed two punts. The Jets recovered both, so they did not do too much damage. Williams is not getting cut like last year, but he now must bounce back from that bad game.
“The biggest thing is, I’m not the type to make excuses — that’s football, at the end of the day,” Williams said. “It’s not always going to be perfect conditions, so you can’t lean on ‘it was raining’ or whatever. Personally, my own standard says that’s unacceptable regardless of circumstances — but it’s something to learn and grow from. In that moment, it sucked, but the beautiful thing is we recovered both of them — thank God for [Qwan’tez] Stiggers making that happen.
“In that moment, I had to tell myself we’ve got a long game ahead and my teammates are going to need me. I’m not about to hang my head after a mistake — I’m going to the next play, keep working, keep battling.
Isaiah Williams (18) of the New York Jets is tackled by J. Michael Sturdivant (87) of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 20, 2026. Getty Images
“That’s life — we’re going to go through stuff, everything isn’t always going to be perfect, we’re going to make mistakes. But you can’t let one moment ruin a game or a season. You bounce back, learn from it, and keep moving forward.”
Jets coach Aaron Glenn knew Williams from their time together in Detroit and is fond of him.
Jets kick returner Isaiah Williams (18) is stopped by Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) during overtime of a game between the Jets and Green Bay Packers. Bill Kostroun for NY Post
“I know that player very well and the one thing that I do know about him is, if he has an issue, there are going to be intentional reps to make sure he fixes that issue,” Glenn said. “So, that’s one guy I’m not worried about at all. I think you guys should know that.”
QB Geno Smith was fined $11,941 for taunting in last week’s loss to the Packers.
The Jets elevated former Giants WR Sterling Shepard from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Shepard signed with the Jets two weeks ago but did not play last week.
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The Jets also signed WR Jamaal Pritchett to the active roster. That gives the Jets six receivers for Sunday’s game with the Lions.
Adonai Mitchell is listed as questionable with a finger injury, so the Jets need the extra bodies. They also elevated K Jason Sanders from the practice squad for the third straight week.