NEW YORK — The New York Jets have signed linebacker Avery Williamson to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million.

Williamson spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and led the Titans in tackles in two of those years.

It appears the 26-year-old Williamson will be a replacement at inside linebacker for Demario Davis, who led the Jets in tackles last season with a career season but is 29 and a free agent.

Instead, New York went with the younger Williamson, who has 11 1/2 sacks and 377 tackles with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He'll likely combine with Darron Lee to man the middle of the Jets' linebacker group.

Williamson was a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky in the 2014 draft. He became a starter for the Titans early in his rookie season and became a consistent playmaker during his four years with the team.

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