Jets Make Several Roster Moves

The Jets will go at least four games without Onyemata, Smith and McCrary-Ball. Onyemata, one of the Jets’ major additions in free agency, suffered a groin injury in a 20-17 loss to the Packers in Week 2. Smith is going on the shelf with a knee issue, and McCrary-Ball is dealing with an ankle injury.

Smith and McCrary-Ball have done most or all of their work on special teams this year, while Onyemata served as a starter along the Jets’ D-line during their 1-1 start. In one of several offseason moves to upgrade their defense, the Jets gave the former Saint and Falcon a one-year, $10.5MM deal when he hit the open market in March.

Onyemata did not record a tackle in either of the Jets’ first two games, but he did contribute four pressures, three hurries and a quarterback hit over 48 snaps. The Jets will now go without the 33-year-old until at least Week 7, which could increase their reliance on Jowon Briggs and fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. Those two took on more snaps in Week 2 as a result of Onyemata’s injury. The Jets already had Harrison Phillips and T’Vondre Sweat filling key roles along the interior before they lost Onyemata.

Turning to the Jets’ offense, tight end Mason Taylor is week-to-week with a thumb injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays. The 22-year-old impressed during a 44-grab rookie campaign in 2025, but he has only caught two passes for minus-2 yards this season. While Taylor leads Jets tight ends in offensive snap share (55.3%), first-round rookie Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert and Jelani Woods have also gotten a decent amount of playing time under new offensive coordinator Frank Reich.