At an evaluation stage of this season — which is another way of saying the results of the games do not matter apart from draft order — the Jets will not find out anything further regarding Will McDonald IV.
The 2023 first-round pick was among those placed on injured reserve Friday with a knee injury, ending an up-and-down season that leaves the Jets with a decision to make this offseason.
In May, the Jets will have to decide whether to pick up the pass rusher’s fifth-year option ahead of his fourth NFL season.
McDonald will lead the Jets in sacks for a second straight season, but this choice still will be debated.
The defensive end broke out last year when he racked up 10.5 sacks. But he has been less impactful this season, has been streaky and has struggled against the run, generally only used on passing downs.
Should such a specialist be guaranteed roughly $15 million for the 2027 season?
The 26-year-old will finish this season with eight sacks, but half of those came against the Browns in one November game.
In 15 games, McDonald totaled a career-best 30 combined tackles.
Also placed on injured reserve were LB Kiko Mauigoa (shoulder) and DL Jay Tufele (ankle).
TE Mason Taylor (neck) will sit against the Patriots and miss a third straight game.
OL Xavier Newman (knee) popped up on the injury report and is questionable. DL Harrison Phillips (knee) and DL Eric Watts (concussion) practiced fully Friday. QB Tyrod Taylor did not practice for what the team called “personal reasons.”
Head coach Aaron Glenn will be paying plenty of attention to the Jets’ young secondary that was torched last week by the Saints.
Amid injuries, undrafted rookies Jordan Clark and Dean Clark will see time at safety along with rookie safety Malachi Moore. Second-year cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, who only has proven himself on special teams, will continue to get more reps on defense.
“For those three rookies to go out there and get as many reps as they’ve been getting, it’s been huge for us to see exactly where they are,” Glenn said. “And not just that, even with Stiggs, Stiggs going out and starting at corner for us for the last couple of games, we can see exactly where he’s at. I think he’s been doing a really good job for us.”
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