Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 245 lbs |
| Birthplace: Pewaukee, WI |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Iowa St. |
| Experience: 4 |
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1:55Packers' Struggles vs. Jets' Success in the Run Game
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1:10Packers Dealing With Defensive Injuries Ahead of Week 2
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10:54Packers vs Jets Preview & Predictions | HQ NFL
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0:59How the Jets Can Upset the Packers in Week 2
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1:18Terron's Top Week 2 Offensive Lines: No. 3 - jets
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1:54Cam Ward's Learning Curve With His 3rd OC
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1:55Jets Revitalized After Major Roster Turnover
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2:19NFL Week 2: Packers at Jets Preview and Picks
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0:53Why Things Do Not Look Promising for Cam Ward in Year 2
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0:36What the Jets Showed Us in Week 1 Win
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6:01Falcons Rule Out Tua Tagovailoa for Week 1 at Steelers
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5:46Patriots Place WR A.J. Brown on IR With Ankle Injury
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1:12Impact of Jets HC Aaron Glenn Calling Plays on Defense
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1:00Jets at Titans: Geno Smith's Return vs. Cam Ward's Year 2
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1:19Jets at Titans: Robert Saleh Revenge Game Preview
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9:23A Reason For Optimism: AFC East
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0:40Rhamondre Stevenson Trending for Big Week 1 Role
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9:56AFC East's Biggest Questions After Camp
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12:50NFL News: Skattebo Antics & Cousins Named Raiders Starting QB
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1:59NFL Futures: Top Rushing Prop
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2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top Will McDonald IV News
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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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Jets' Will McDonald: Full participant Thursday
McDonald (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
McDonald's upgrade to full participation cleared him of injury designation, and he is set to suit up for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. McDonald has logged at least a 70 percent snap share in each of the last two games, though he may see extra playing time if fellow defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson (ankle) cannot suit up for Sunday's divisional clash.
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Jets' Will McDonald: Limited due to ankle issue
McDonald (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
McDonald logged his usual defensive snap share against Atlanta on Sunday, but he appears to have also picked up an ankle injury. It bears monitoring his practice status the remainder of the week, but at this point there's no indication he's dealing with a major issue. McDonald has 7.0 sacks on the season, though 4.0 of those came in one game (versus Cleveland in Week 10).
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Jets' Will McDonald: No tackles in Week 12 loss
McDonald registered zero tackles during the Jets' 23-10 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.
McDonald led all Jets defensive linemen with 44 defensive snaps Sunday, but the third-year pro didn't show up on the box score otherwise. He has been one of the more productive defensive linemen for the Jets this season, and he'll look to bounce back this Sunday against the Falcons.
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