National Football League

Jets' 1st-rounder Leonard Williams leaves with knee injury

Published Aug. 29, 2015 8:27 p.m. ET

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets are hoping Leonard Williams won't be sidelined for long with a knee injury.

The first-round draft pick left the Jets' 28-18 preseason victory over the Giants in the first half Saturday night. A bone bruise is a possibility, but the Jets will know more after the defensive lineman has an MRI exam Sunday.

Until then, the Jets will keep their fingers crossed for positive news. Coach Todd Bowles was uncertain of Williams' status, but defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said he texted with Williams after the game.

''He said he's good,'' Wilkerson said assuredly.

It wasn't certain when Williams was injured, but he was seen limping slightly as he walked behind the end zone and to the Jets' locker room after the Giants kicked off following a touchdown with 3:53 left in the first half. He never returned to the sideline after halftime, and was receiving treatment in the trainer's room long after the game was over.

Williams, the No. 6 overall pick out of Southern California, is expected to be a major part of Bowles' defense. He has been starting for the Jets in place of Sheldon Richardson, who is suspended for the first four games of the regular season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Williams had one tackle against the Giants before leaving the game. He had a breakout performance last week against Atlanta, when he had 1 1/2 sacks, including a safety.

NOTES: RB Bilal Powell left briefly in the first half with a right ankle injury, but returned to the game. He finished with two rushes for 12 yards, and added an 8-yard reception. ... LB Jamari Lattimore left in the third quarter with a knee injury, but also returned. ... LB Calvin Pace sat out with a groin injury.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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