Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 245 lbs |
| Birthplace: Pewaukee, WI |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Iowa St. |
| Experience: 4 |
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1:26NFL Week 5 Highlights: Browns at Jets
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1:59NFL Game Balls: Maye, Bailey & Warren
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1:46Jets Defense Dominates to Snap Browns Win Streak
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1:43Drake Maye Shines as Patriots Dominate Raiders
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1:18Who Should Start at QB if Caleb Williams isn't Cleared?
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0:39Deshaun Watson's Deep TD Pass to Denzel Boston
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0:10Dashing through the rain -- Jets' Allen breaks free for go-ahead TD vs. Browns
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0:26Browns Defense Forces Fumble Against the Jets
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0:11Deshaun Watson's Deep Completion on the Run vs. Jets
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0:21Braelon Allen Rips Off 18-Yard Run vs. Browns
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8:56NFL Executive Perspective with Amy Trask
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1:36Fantasy Football Week 5: Start or Sit Hurts & Judkins
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0:35Pete Prisco's NFL Graveyard: Jets After 3 Straight Losses
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0:41Pete Prisco's NFL Graveyard: Commanders Who Are Now Down To 3rd String QB
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1:29Bears Improve to 3-1, Surviving Without Caleb Williams
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7:22Week 4 Winners and Losers | HQ NFL
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1:58Caleb Williams Out for Week 4: Who Starts for Bears?
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1:54Jets QB Geno Smith Is Better Than You Think
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1:58AFC East Division Outlook: Can Patriots Catch Bills?
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1:46Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Aaron Rodgers?
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2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 9 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Top Will McDonald IV News
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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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Jets' Will McDonald: Out for Sunday
McDonald (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
The Iowa State product likely sustained a knee injury in the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints, and he's now in line to miss his first game of the season Sunday. McDonald has been a bright spot on New York's defensive line, tallying 30 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks, through 15 appearances this season. Expect Braiden McGregor and Micheal Clemons to fill in for McDonald on the Jets' defensive line in Week 17.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Dealing with knee injury
McDonald (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
McDonald may have injured his knee during the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints, when he played 65 snaps (57 on defense, eight on special teams) and finished with four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks. He'll have two more chances to log a full practice and avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's AFC East tilt against the Patriots.
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