Will McDonald IV Injury News & Updates

McDonald (quadriceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

The third-year defensive lineman will continue to play through a nagging quadriceps injury that limited his practice participation during Week 12 prep. McDonald has accumulated 21 tackles (12 solo), including 7.0 sacks, through 10 regular-season games.

McDonald (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

The third-year defensive end missed Wednesday's practice due to a nagging quad issue, but he ended the week with back-to-back limited sessions to draw the questionable tag for Week 12. If McDonald is not cleared to play, then Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor and rookie fifth-rounder Tyler Baron would be slated for more defensive snaps opposite starter Jermaine Johnson.

McDonald (quadriceps) did not practice Wednesday.

McDonald was on the injury report with the same issue ahead of the Jets' Week 11 loss to the Patriots. He still managed to suit up, which bodes well for his availability in Week 12 against the Ravens.

McDonald tallied one total tackle (none solo) in Thursday night's 27-14 loss to the Patriots.

Although McDonald tallied just one combined tackle in the Jets' Week 11 loss, he pressured Drake Maye three times. McDonald, a third-year edge rusher from Iowa State, is having another productive season, recording 21 total tackles, including 7.0 sacks (4.0 of which came in the Week 10 win over the Browns), across the Jets' first 10 games. He's expected to remain New York's top pass rusher and continue starting opposite Jermaine Johnson in the Week 12 matchup against the Ravens.

McDonald (quadriceps) is active for Thursday's game against the Patriots.

McDonald was able to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, and he's been cleared to play in Thursday night's AFC East tilt after going through pregame warmups. The 2023 first-rounder is up to 7.0 sacks through nine regular-season games, 4.0 of which came during Sunday's loss to the Browns.

McDonald (quadriceps) is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Patriots.

McDonald got in a limited practice Wednesday, giving him a chance to suit up Thursday, as he's coming off a monster Week 10 performance against Cleveland in which he piled up 4.0 sacks.

McDonald (quadriceps) was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report.

McDonald was estimated as DNP on Monday, so it appears McDonald is tracking toward playing Thursday night against the Patriots. McDonald is coming off a monster Week 10 performance against the Browns, where he piled up five tackles (four solo), including 4.0 sacks, and five QB hits on 71 percent of the defensive snaps.

McDonald (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant in the Jets' practice estimate Monday, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

McDonald popped up on the injury report Monday after having a dominant performance in the Week 10 win over the Browns, during which he recorded five total tackles (four solo), including 4.0 sacks. If this injury ends up being serious enough to hold the 26-year-old out of Thursday's matchup versus the Patriots, Michael Clemons would likely get the start at defensive end in his place.

McDonald recorded five total tackles (four solo), including 4.0 sacks, in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Browns.

McDonald was an unstoppable force in Week 10, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel three times in the second quarter and another time in the fourth. The defensive end beat his previous high of 3.0 sacks that he notched in Week 2 of the 2024 campaign. On the season, McDonald has now produced 20 total tackles (12 solo), including 7.0 sacks, over nine games.

McDonald was not on Wednesday's injury report.

McDonald was evaluated for a concussion in Sunday's loss to Denver. He apparently cleared those checks and should be available for a Week 7 matchup against the Panthers.

McDonald is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.

McDonald sustained a head injury during the first half of Sunday's game, and he is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return. Micheal Clemons and Braiden McGregor will see more snaps at defensive end for as long as McDonald is out of the game.

McDonald recorded three total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 34-32 loss to the Steelers.

McDonald started his season off with a bang, bringing down quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice in New York's loss. The defensive end compiled 10.5 sacks in 2024 while playing all 17 regular-season games with the team, and he'll have a strong chance at beating that number in 2025 if he can build off of his Week 1 performance.

McDonald (knee) isn't included on Wednesday's injury report, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com report.

McDonald missed New York's final two preseason contests due to a knee issue, but he appears to now be clear of the issue. The third-year defensive end thus seems to be in line to suit up Week 1 versus the Steelers. McDonald will be tasked with spearheading the Jets' pass rush after leading the team with 10.5 sacks last year.

McDonald didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants due to a knee injury, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

McDonald dealt with back spasms earlier this month. The 15th overall pick in the 2023 Draft, McDonald appeared in all 17 regular-season contests last season, making 15 starts, and finished with 28 tackles (18 solo), including a team-high 10.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

McDonald (back spasms) tallied one tackle during Saturday's 30-10 preseason win over the Packers.

McDonald had his practice level managed early August due to back spasms, but the injury never appeared to be of a severity level that it would impact his game-time availability. The 2023 first-round pick is working to build off a breakout 2024 campaign in which he tallied 10.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, the Jets activated Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) from the active/PUP list Sunday.

McDonald (back spasms) left practice early Tuesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports

McDonald was one of three Jets to leave practice early on Tuesday as he dealt with back spasms. The 26-year-old is entering his third season in the league and is becoming an emerging star and one of the premier pass rushers in the league. Last year, he appeared in every game, tallying 10.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, and is expected to add onto that production this year.

Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters Wednesday that McDonald added 15-pounds of muscle in the offseason, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

The 2023 first-round pick from Iowa State is already coming off the best season of his career, posting 28 total tackles, including 10.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles across 17 regular-season games. With a new defensive-minded head coach in Glenn and added muscle, McDonald appears poised to take another step forward and emerge as one of the NFL's top edge rushers in 2025.

McDonald posted 28 total tackles (18 solo), including 10.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles across 17 games in 2024.

The 2023 first-round pick from Iowa State made a tremendous leap in production from his rookie season to 2024, tying Jonathon Cooper, Dante Fowler and Travon Walker for the 12th-most sacks in the NFL. McDonald also ranked among the NFL's top 15 edge rushers in quarterback hits (12), pressures (61) and batted passes (three) this season. He's now entering the third season of his rookie contract and is expected to remain one of the premier edge rushers in the league, with aspirations of earning his first Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors in 2025.

McDonald registered 2.0 sacks in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.

McDonald was able to get to Geno Smith two times in the defeat, notching his third multi-sack performance of the year and first since Week 3. The 25-year-old has now produced 21 total tackles (16 solo), including 10.0 sacks, while also adding two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed over 12 games this season.

McDonald finished with three tackles (three solo), including a tackle for a loss and 1.0 sacks, and a pass breakup in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the Steelers.

The defensive end also played on 65 percent of the defensive snaps. McDonald has 15 tackles (12 solo), including 8.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in seven games this season. The 2023 first-round pick recorded just 14 tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in 15 games as a rookie.

McDonald recorded two tackles (two solo) including 1.0 sacks during Sunday's 23-17 loss against the Vikings.

McDonald's sack came on a third-and-one deep in Jets territory to force Minnesota to settle for a field goal. He was causing problems for Sam Darnold that didn't show up on the stat sheet too, and it looks like he's found his footing as a pass rusher early in his second year. He brings some IDP allure into a Week 6 matchup versus Buffalo.

McDonald had 2.0 sacks among his three tackles (one solo) and four quarterback hits in Thursday's 24-3 win over the Patriots.

McDonald stayed hot after his 3.0-sack breakout in Week 2. With Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) done for the season, McDonald will be counted upon to play a key role on the edge for the Jets, even if Haason Reddick's ongoing contract dispute is resolved at some point.

McDonald recorded four solo tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans.

McDonald lived in Tennessee's backfield, getting to quarterback Will Levis three times, matching his career total in sacks. Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles in the victory and with Haason Reddick holding out, McDonald will likely move into a starting role at defensive end moving forward.

McDonald finished his rookie season with 3.0 sacks among his 14 tackles (nine solo) while adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Despite being a first-round selection (15th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, McDonald was limited to a reserve role on the Jets' deep defensive line in his first NFL campaign. There were questions about his ability in run support entering the NFL at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, and McDonald was used primarily as a pass rush specialist in 2023, but he was outclassed in that role by Bryce Huff (10.0 sacks) while failing to exceed 30 percent of defensive snaps in a game. With Huff set to become an unrestricted free agent, McDonald could see a bump in usage in 2024, and the Jets will be hoping he progresses similarly to 2022 first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson, who jumped from 2.5 sacks as a rookie to 7.5 in his second season.

McDonald recorded a sack for his lone tackle in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Texans.

McDonald logged his first full sack in the fourth quarter, bringing his season total up to 1.5. The 2023 first-round draft pick brought down backup quarterback Davis Mills, who had replaced the injured C.J. Stroud (concussion) on the previous drive.

McDonald (ankle) is active Sunday versus the Bills.

McDonald was forced to miss the team's Week 10 loss to Las Vegas while dealing with an ankle injury, but he'll make his return to the field Sunday against Buffalo. The rookie has recorded two tackles, including a half-sack, over the last two games he's appeared in.

McDonald (ankle) has been deemed questionable for Sunday's Week 11 matchup with the Bills.

McDonald missed the Week 10 loss to Las Vegas due to his knee issue and is in danger of sitting out this coming Sunday as well. He did manage to log a trio of limited practices this week, so he seems to have a chance of suiting up against Buffalo. If he does miss the clash, however, Carl Lawson could potentially get more reps.

McDonald (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on the Jets' practice estimate Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

It seems to be a step in the right direction for McDonald after he sat out of Sunday's loss at Las Vegas. He'll still probably need to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

McDonald (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

McDonald popped up on the team's injury report after not participating in Friday's practice. He has contributed both on special teams and as a depth edge rusher behind John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson this season. Bryce Huff is more likely to get an uptick in defensive snaps than veteran Carl Lawson, with the former recording five sacks over his last four games.

McDonald (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

It's not clear when McDonald sustained the ankle injury nor how severe it might be at this point. If he can't suit up in Week 10, Carl Lawson will likely see more work at defensive end against the Raiders.

McDonald (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

A rookie first-round pick, McDonald recorded one tackle across 13 offensive snaps in Week 1, but he won't suit up in Week 2. This comes as a bit of a surprise, but it appears McDonald is near the bottom of the depth chart for the time being.

McDonald recorded one sack and two quarterback hits in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers.

McDonald had three tackles and a quarterback hit in his NFL debut the previous week, so the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has shown some intriguing ability to get to the quarterback. McDonald's speed and bend off the edge give him a high ceiling as a pass rusher, but with questions about how he'll hold up in run defense at just 239 pounds, the rookie will likely begin his career as a situational rusher rather than an every-down player.

McDonald (leg) practiced Tuesday, Ralph Ventre of SI.com reports.

The rookie first-round pick was sidelined for the first couple practices of training camp due to a leg contusion, but he was back on the field for Tuesday's padded session. Per Ventre, McDonald stood out during his first action and is on track to be part of the Jets' edge rusher rotation in 2023. The Iowa State product was a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team honoree and totaled 34 sacks across five collegiate seasons.

McDonald (leg) did not practice Friday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

McDonald was on the sidelines with a leg contusion that he suffered at Thursday's practice, but head coach Robert Saleh said Friday that he expects the rookie to "be back soon". The 24-year-old is expected to be a top reserve option behind John Franklin-Meyers and Carl Lawson on New York's defensive line in 2023.

The Jets selected McDonald in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 15th overall.

This was something of a surprise pick as many had McDonald ticketed as a late-first or early-second round pick. McDonald racked up a pair of double-digit sack seasons during his time at Iowa State. He possesses good length (34.88 in. arms) to help shed blockers and he was adept at finding the ball with 10 forced fumbles. McDonald may be near his developmental peak as he will turn 24 over the summer but he had a standout pro-day performance that suggests that his athleticism will play right away. The Jets are continuing to add to one of the league's best defenses.