Will

McDonald

McDonald has been lightly used this season by the Jets. The former first-rounder has appeared in all nine games this season, totaling three sacks and 15 tackles while appearing on just 278 defensive snaps, per PFF. According to Rapoport, the Jets have not engaged in trade talks for McDonald despite receiving calls, and “they have no plans to.” With a 2-7 record, the Jets should be sellers, but have maintained for over a week that they would prefer not to move many players, if any.

He popped up on the Friday injury report with a calf, but will try to play through it. Inactive for the Jets are RB Breece Hall (quad), LB Kiko Mauigoa (quad), OL Dylan Parham (knee), WR Adonai Mitchell (finger), EDGE Nate Lynn and CB Nahshon Wright. The four with injury statuses were ruled out on Friday, the other two are healthy scratches.

He popped up on the injury report on Friday, never a great sign. McDonald has a 68.4 PFF pass rush grade on 69 pass rushes and the Jets would lose something on defense without him.

We knew Fitzpatrick had already been ruled out with a groin injury. D’Angelo Pounds had practiced all week, and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that he was healthy enough to play, but apparently there is no room for him in the secondary at the moment. The good news for the Jets is that Will McDonald (ankle) is active and will play.

McDonald popped up on Thursday’s injury report with an ankle injury, but speaking with the media on Friday, Glenn said the fourth-year pass rusher will be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Rookie CB D’Angelo Ponds, who missed last week with an ankle injury, is also expected to make his NFL debut this week, giving the Jets additional help in the secondary.

The midweek downgrade is never a promising sign, and the Jets were definitely hoping to have a full complement of pass-rushers against a beleaguered Packers offensive line in Week 2. Assuming this wasn’t a practice injury that spirals into an extended absence, we’d expect McDonald to be listed as questionable tomorrow.

There is “an internal debate” in the Jets’ organization between drafting Reese or Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey. Bailey, 22, is generally regarded as the draft’s top pass rusher and is knocked for his run defense. Reese is a complete player and is currently just 20 years old. Hughes notes that current Jets EDGE Will McDonald is a great pass rusher, but can be a liability in run defense. McDonald and Bailey would form a potent pass rush duo, but could be a suboptimal tandem against the run.

McDonald was taken No. 15 overall in the 2023 draft and is now eligible to have his fifth-year option picked up. In three seasons, McDonald has tallied 21.5 sacks, including back-to-back seasons of at least eight sacks. His option is expected to be around $14 million, making his contract for 2027 relatively light for a productive edge rusher. McDonald will head into year four with the Jets likely exploring extension talks to keep him long-term.

McDonald marked eight sacks in 15 games this year and continues to look like a solid building block pass rusher. The Jets will face a decision on whether they want to pick up his fifth-year option this offseason. With the season over in all but name, the Jets also sent LB Kiko Mauigoa (neck) and DL Jay Tufele (foot) to the injured reserve list.

Taylor has now missed three straight games as a result of his neck injury. The rookie tight end, who has caught 44 passes for 369 yards and one touchdown this season, will have one more chance to suit up for Week 18’s season finale against the Bills, but after missing three-straight weeks of practice, he could be a long shot for next week. In addition to Taylor the Jets also ruled out EDGE Will McDonald (knee), DL Jay Tufele (foot), and LB Kiko Mauigoa (neck) for Week 17.