Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 245 lbs |
| Birthplace: Pewaukee, WI |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Iowa St. |
| Experience: 4 |
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0:30Drake Maye Finds Demario Douglas for Patriots Touchdown
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1:51NFL Week 10 Picks: Bills at Jets
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1:03JJ Watt on Why the Jets Keep Getting in Their Own Way
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0:42JJ Watt Breaks Down the Chiefs' Defensive Improvements vs. Jets
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1:01Chiefs Snap 2-Game Skid with 35-12 Win Over Jets
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0:20Emmett Johnson Scores Touchdown for Chiefs vs. Jets
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0:38Travis Kelce Scores 4th-and-Goal Touchdown
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0:26Mahomes Hits Kenneth Walker III for Chiefs Touchdown
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1:01'Mahomes is hurt:' Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes left grimacing in pain, arm limp after sack vs. Jets
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0:16Perfect execution: Chiefs' Kenneth Walker waltzes to end zone for his SECOND touchdown of the day
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0:23Jets Defense Stops Chiefs on 3rd & 1 Sneak
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0:37What to Make of DT Chris Jones' Struggles
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0:26Breaking News: Breece Hall Returns, Garrett Wilson Out
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0:41Players That Need A Change Of Scenery: Garrett Wilson
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1:26NFL Mock Draft: Biggest Fallers
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1:16NFL Mock Draft: Targets For Jets With 3 First Round Picks
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1:18NFL Mock Draft: Five Quarterbacks Taken In Round 1
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1:02Reaction to Minkah Fitzpatrick's 'Jets Being Jets' Quote
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3:18Patrick Mahomes Under Pressure After Chiefs Fall to Broncos
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2:17Browns vs. Steelers: First Place on the Line in AFC North
2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 13 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Top Will McDonald IV News
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Jets' Will McDonald: Eyeing trade out of New York
McDonald put in a request for the Jets to trade him ahead of Tuesday's deadline, Ian Rapoport and Rich Cimini of ESPN report.
The 2023 first-round pick racked up 18.5 sacks over the previous two seasons and has three on his ledger through nine games in 2026, but he's seen his playing time tail off with the arrival of No. 2 overall pick David Bailey and the addition of Kingsley Enagbare in free agency. Though McDonald is hopeful to land with a team that can present him with a clearer path to a full-time role, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that McDonald "is going to be here" once the deadline passes, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Active for Week 5
McDonald (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.
McDonald appeared on Friday's injury report with a new calf injury. The defensive end managed to log limited participation in practice despite the injury and has recovered in time for Sunday's contest.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Questionable with new calf injury
McDonald (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
McDonald was a new addition to the Jets' Friday injury report with a calf injury. The defensive end managed to log limited participation despite the new injury, but it is unclear if the injury is minor enough to play through on game day. If McDonald cannot suit up for Sunday's contest, Nate Lynn will join Joseph Ossai as a rotational defensive end behind starters Kingsley Enagbare (knee) and David Bailey.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Suiting up Week 2
McDonald (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Packers.
After limited practice sessions Thursday and Friday, McDonald, the only Jet whose status was in question this week, will get clearance to take the field. The one-time first-round pick was on the field for 50.0 percent of the team's snaps in Week 1 against Tennessee and managed to record 1.0 sacks, in addition to putting in some light work on special teams.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Iffy for Week 2
McDonald (ankle) logged a limited practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers.
McDonald popped up on Thursday's injury report as an LP due to an ankle injury, and a limited session Friday drew him the questionable tag for Week 2. The fourth-year pro's status for Sunday's game may not be officially known until the inactive lists are announced approximately 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Rookie No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, Braiden McGregor and Kingsley Enagbare would all be in line for more defensive snaps if McDonald is not cleared to play against Green Bay.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Nursing ankle issue
McDonald (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
McDonald was a new addition to the Jets' injury report Thursday, so it looks like he might have gotten hurt during practice Wednesday. He'll probably need to practice in full Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Gets fifth-year option picked up
The Jets picked up the fifth-year option on McDonald's (knee) rookie contract Wednesday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.
McDonald has tallied 18.5 sacks in 32 games over the last two seasons, so it comes as little surprise that the Jets have opted to keep him under their control through the end of the 2027 season. Even though the club recently used the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on defensive end David Bailey, McDonald figures to get about as much work as he can handle during the upcoming campaign.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Likely getting fifth-year option
Jets GM Darren Mougey said Monday that he expects McDonald (knee) to have his fifth-year option picked up, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
McDonald missed the final two games of the 2025 campaign due to a knee issue, ending the year with 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, across 15 regular-season appearances. If the fifth-year option on his rookie deal indeed is picked up by New York, McDonald will remain under contract with the Jets through the 2027 season.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Heading to IR
The Jets placed McDonald (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Susanna Weir of the Jets' official site reports.
McDonald was unable to practice all week after suffering a knee injury in the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints. The 26-year-old's move to IR ensures he is done for the season, likely giving Braiden McGregor more reps in McDonald's place. The third-year pro accounted for 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, in 15 games played.
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