Leonard Williams, who left the Jets’ preseason game Saturday against the Giants with a knee injury, appears to have avoided a long-term absence.
His magnetic resonance imaging test Sunday revealed no ligament damage: just a muscle strain behind his knee. The Jets do not anticipate that the injury will sideline him for the season opener Sept. 13 against Cleveland.
Williams, the team’s first-round draft pick, is expected to start on the defensive line with Sheldon Richardson, who is suspended for at least the first four games.
WHITTLING DOWN THE ROSTER The Jets winnowed their pool of receivers, releasing five contenders for a backup job in a wave of cuts before rosters must be pared down to 75 by Tuesday at 4 p.