Roster News: Jets elevate Sanders and add two receivers

The Jets have announced their pre-game roster moves for the Lions game:

We've signed WR Jamaal Pritchett to the active roster



We've also eleveated WR Sterling Shepard and K Jason Sanders for Sunday's game

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 26, 2026

Sanders is being elevated for the third and final time and the team will either have to sign him to the roster or release him next week. Presumably they will sign him and release Blake Grupe, who will then be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Aaron Glenn had already announced that both Tyler Johnson and Sterling Shepherd were ready and that one would be elevated to back up the top three along with Malik McClain, who was already signed to the roster. Clearly, Shepherd got the nod this week.

The fact that they're also adding Pritchett - who along with McClain will be making his NFL debut - may be connected to the fact that Adonai Mitchell has been dealing with a finger injury. However, with the Jets being so light at the position, perhaps the Jets are going to get him to return punts so Isaiah Williams (who muffed two punts last week) can concentrate on his offensive role.