Roster Cuts Complete, Jets Practice Squad Comes Next

The New York Jets have completed their initial roster cuts, and now attention turns to the next phase of building the 2026 roster: the practice squad. The Jets waived 25 players, released four veterans, and waived three players with injury designations as they worked their way down to the roster limit. Once players clear waivers, the team can begin bringing players back to fill out the Jets practice squad.

Fans are already discussing which players they would like to see return. Head over to the JetNation forums and Jets Practice Squad discussion to make your predictions.

New York Jets Waived Players

Here are the 25 players waived by the Jets:

• DB Mory Bamba
• WR Junior Bergen
• WR Cam Camper
• S Dean Clark
• DB Jordan Clark
• QB Brady Cook
• EDGE Anthony Dunn Jr.
• LB Paschal Ekeji
• OL Courtland Ford
• G Liam Fornadel
• DB Keenan Garber
• G Marquis Hayes
• DT Jack Heflin
• OL Xavier Hill
• LB Jaden Keller
• EDGE Nate Lynn
• WR Malik McClain
• S Jarius Monroe
• DL Payton Page
• WR Jamaal Pritchett
• WR Quincy Skinner
• DL Mazi Smith
• DT Junior Tafuna
• S Tanner Wall
• LB Chase Wilson

Bamba and Lynn Had Strong Preseason Performances

Two names on the waiver list who stood out during preseason action were Mory Bamba and Nate Lynn. Bamba had one of the better individual performances of the Jets preseason in the opener against Tampa Bay. The rookie defensive back finished with four tackles and four passes defended before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the preseason.

Lynn didn’t join the Jets until August 18, but immediately made an impact as a pass rusher. He recorded two sacks and two quarterback hits in his first preseason appearance with the Jets and added another sack and quarterback hit against the Giants in the preseason finale.

Both will be names to watch if they clear waivers and the Jets begin bringing players back for the practice squad.

Jets Release Four Veterans

Four vested veterans were released rather than being subject to waivers:

• OL Xavier Newman-Johnson
• CB Samuel Womack III
• OL Landon Young
• QB Bailey Zappe

Because they are vested veterans, those players become free agents and can sign with any team.

Three Players Waived With Injury Designations

The Jets also waived three players with injury designations:

• TE Chase Curtis
• TE Connor Hulstein
• RB Dominic Richardson

Their situations will be determined after the waiver process.

Jets Place Three Players on Injured Reserve

Three additional players were placed on reserve/injured:

• CB Tre Brown
• RB Chip Trayanum
• LB Mykal Walker

Trayanum was injured during the preseason finale against the Giants and left the field on a stretcher. The Jets said he was awake and alert and had movement in his lower extremities before being transported to the hospital. Walker had been dealing with a calf injury suffered during training camp.

Anez Cooper and VJ Payne Designated to Return

Two Jets draft picks were placed on injured reserve but designated for return:

• OL Anez Cooper
• S VJ Payne

Cooper suffered a shoulder injury against the Giants, while Payne has been sidelined with a bone bruise. Because both were designated for return, the Jets can activate them later in the season.  Linebacker Tyler Baron was also placed on the reserve/PUP list as he continues working his way back from a knee injury.

Jets Practice Squad Is Next

Once the waiver period ends Monday at 1 p.m. ET, the Jets can begin assembling their practice squad. The Jets also hold the No. 2 waiver priority, giving general manager Darren Mougey an opportunity to add players waived by other teams before practice squads begin taking shape. Several of the players waived Sunday could ultimately return to Florham Park. With the initial roster largely settled, the practice squad will be the next piece of the Jets’ 2026 roster to come together.

Who do you want the Jets to bring back? Join the Jets Practice Squad discussion and post your predictions.