Mike Williams makes Jets return after absence during tumultuous week

Mike Williams was back at the Jets’ practice facility Thursday — but didn’t do much on the field — after missing the previous day’s walk-through for what the team listed as personal reasons.

They used that same non-injury designation to describe why the veteran receiver did not participate in practice for a second straight day, however, further calling into question his future with the team.

Williams had been called out publicly by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route late in Monday night’s loss to the Bills, and the Jets finalized a trade for six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams the day after the defeat dropped them to 2-4 on the season.

Notably, Williams did not participate in receiver drills during the portion of Thursday’s practice that was open to the media, instead working out on a side field with a trainer and injured cornerback D.J. Reed (groin).

He also was not made available to reporters afterward.

Before practice, Jets passing game coordinator and newly installed play caller Todd Downing said that he has no concerns about Williams’ focus because “Mike’s a pro.”

“We have an accomplished wide receiver room right now and I hope that everybody feels there’s been some intentionality and purpose in how we’re putting the plan together,” Downing added.

Still, with less than three weeks remaining until the Nov. 5 trade deadline, the 30-year-old former Charger’s future with the Jets certainly appears tenuous.

Williams, who signed a one-year contract worth $10 million in the offseason, is likely to lose playing time in a receivers group also featuring Adams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, who is tied for the NFL lead with five touchdown receptions.

Adams and Lazard have long histories with Rodgers as teammates with the Packers.

“Just tell Aaron to throw to the open guy. That’s the easy part,” Downing said. “As a chef, you would want a bunch of ingredients, right? You wouldn’t want to be standing in the kitchen and looking for something in the cupboard. So it’s a good problem to have, that we have all these ingredients.

“That’s the challenge for a coaching staff, right? You have all these very talented weapons now, and it’s about figuring out how you’re gonna make sure that everybody feels [they’re getting] their piece of the pie.”

The Chargers, the Steelers and the Saints have been identified among “a number of teams reaching out to the Jets about Williams,” according to The Athletic.

Williams has had a slow start to the season after missing all of training camp while recovering from reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL last year.

The 6-foot-4 receiver has 10 catches for 145 yards and zero touchdowns through six appearances entering Sunday night’s game against the Steelers.

After Monday’s loss, Rodgers said Williams ran the wrong route when the quarterback was intercepted by Bills cornerback Taron Johnson with 1:52 remaining.

“It’s two vertical [routes]. Allen [Lazard] is down the seam and Mike is down the red line. I’m looking at Allen, he puts his hand up and three guys go with him. So I’m throwing a no-look to the red line. And when I peek my eyes back there, [Williams] is running an in-breaker. He’s got to be on the red line. It’s the little things every single time.”

The next day on his weekly paid spot on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers insisted he “wasn’t calling out Mike Williams” and shifted the blame to himself, saying “I’ve gotta play better and I can’t make that throw to end the game.”

Downing declined to expand on Williams’ route Thursday, saying he’s “focused on the future” and Sunday’s game against the Steelers.