Jets bring back familiar face Mykal Walker amid rash of injuries at linebacker

The New York Jets are making an addition to their practice squad, per Jets X Factor's Connor Long. Linebacker Mykal Walker, who spent the 2025 season and the 2026 offseason in New York, is signing with the team amid a rash of injuries at the linebacker position.

Walker likely would've been with the Jets to start the 2026 season had it not been for an injury suffered over the summer. He was waived with an injury settlement and worked out for a couple of teams over the last two months. Now, he finally makes his way back.

The Jets have been thin at linebacker dating back to the offseason, with Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood serving as their starters, with questionable depth behind them. Now, that depth is even worse.

Kiko Mauigoa is still on injured reserve, and Trevin Wallace was inactive this past Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker, who likely has a grasp of what the Jets want to do defensively and on special teams, should likely be dressed on game days sooner rather than later.

What does Mykal Walker signing mean for other New York Jets linebackers?

Some Jets fans' minds may go to trade possibilities after seeing the addition of Walker, but it seems unlikely that they would get any serious interest in either of their two starters.

Davis, at 37 years old, is not the former All-Pro he once was for the New Orleans Saints. That has been abundantly clear over the first nine games of the Jets' season.

His two-year contract also features some guaranteed money in Year 2, and no team is going to give up real assets for a 38-year-old that you'll have to pay $12.5 million in 2027.

Sherwood, on the other hand, could potentially have some value. Despite a rough start to the season, he's actually come on fairly strong over the last month. Some of the speed that earned him his three-year contract has come back, and he's a willing tackler.

If there were a playoff contender that was interested in some linebacker depth, Sherwood could likely be had for the right price. But again, it seems unlikely that New York gets the offer they're looking for.

There are plenty of positions on the defense that will likely look different for the Jets after the trade deadline comes and goes; linebacker probably won't be one of them.

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