Roster News: Jets to make flurry of moves as three are headed to IR
The Jets are making a few more moves in addition to the ones we reported earlier:
Jets roster moves, per source:
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) September 22, 2026
Signing to the 53-man roster - WR Malik McClain, DE Jack Heflin, LB Troy Reeder
Signing to practice squad - QB Will Levis, LB Jaden Keller, DL Isaiahh Loudermilk, TE Cody Hardy
Releasing from practice squad - QB Bailey Zappe
The Jets are placing three players on IR, per source: WR Arian Smith, DT David Onyemata and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 22, 2026
So far, the Jets haven't announced all of these moves (just Reeder, Keller, Hardy and Zappe) but the rest should follow in due course. By our count, there should be one more move because the Jets still only have 52 on their roster after accounting for all of this.
The three injured players create a hole on special teams with the Jets likely to use McClain (along with Kene Nwangwu when healthy) to replace Smith and Reeder (along with Trevin Wallace) to cover for McCrary-Ball, who also spent time on IR last season. Keller returns after his recent release too. Obviously Onyemata is a loss on the line and Heflin (and to an extent Loudermilk) is how they will deal with that in the short term, along with - perhaps - more reps for the existing rotational linemen.
The new guys are headlined by Levis, the disappointing 27-year old former second round pick who has a 5-16 record as a starter and only one 300-yard game in his career.
Loudermilk started seven games in five seasons as a rotational lineman with the Steelers so he should be a reasonable option to fill in if needed.
The Jets have plenty of tight ends but Mason Taylor was injured on Sunday so maybe they need cover there and Hardy lacks NFL experience but has nice size.