New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will be on the shelf for a bit.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Tuesday Williams broke a small bone in his foot and is likely to have surgery. The procedure will keep Williams out for 8-10 weeks, meaning he will miss organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. However, the former No. 3 overall pick should be ready to go by training camp.

Hopefully this injury will not come as too big a detractor for Williams, who really came into his own this past season.

The former Alabama star produced mixed results in his rookie season. But he proved his worth in a big way last fall, notching 7.0 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for a loss in 13 games. Williams also forced a pair of fumbles and recorded 55 combined tackles.

Quinnen Williams' growth was quite apparent. Pro Football Focus gave him an 81.4 overall grade in 2020 after Williams earned a 67.4 grade in his rookie campaign.

It will be interesting to see how the 23-year-old responds to this setback, not to mention how he takes to new head coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh was the architect for the elite San Francisco 49ers defense before signing on with the Jets. Generating steady pass rush up the middle was key for Saleh's 4-3 defense in San Francisco, and it figures to be every bit as important in New York. That makes a productive Williams one of the most pivotal figures on this Jets defense, as if that weren't already the case.

Plenty of eyes will be watching No. 2 overall pick and new quarterback Zach Wilson in camp. But Quinnen Williams' health could be a major storyline as well.