Jets Transaction Report: Starting DB placed on IR, Brady Cook signed to 53-man roster

The New York Jets made another round of roster moves on Saturday, shuffling the bottom of their roster ahead of Sunday’s Week 14 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

The team placed multiple players on injured reserve, including a notable defensive starter, while signing a pair of practice-squad players to the 53-man roster, highlighted by undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook.

The Jets also elevated two more players for game day, providing a little extra depth to their secondary. It’s the latest reminder that, even at 3–9, the Jets are treating every week like an extended evaluation window.

Let's dive in and take a quick look at each transaction.

New York Jets transactions breakdown for Dec. 6

Jets place CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. on IR

The most notable move the Jets made on Saturday saw the team place starting nickel cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. on the injured reserve. Brownlee missed the team's Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hip injury and was held out of practice this week.

The Jets had already ruled Brownlee out for this Sunday's matchup, and now, he will be sidelined for a minimum of four games. In theory, he could return for the Jets' season finale in Week 18, but that remains to be seen.

Brownlee impressed in limited action after arriving in a midseason trade and seemed to be forcing his way into the Jets' secondary plans for 2026. However, his recent subpar performances combined with this untimely injury put his status for next season in doubt.

The Jets are still high on Brownlee, but they might not be willing to fully commit to him as a starter next season at this stage. In the short term, expect the likes of Ja'Sir Taylor, Isaiah Oliver, and potentially undrafted rookie Jordan Clark to fill in at nickel corner.

Jets place LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball on IR

The Jets also placed linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball on IR. McCrary-Ball played the first three games of the season before suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.

He returned in Week 13 but played just two games before reaggravating his hamstring injury. Now, he's back on IR and out for the next four weeks, as fans are left to wonder if his peculiar celebration in Sunday's game played a factor.

The Jets will roll with five linebackers on Sunday, with Kobe King likely returning to the game-day roster. Backup linebacker Cam Jones was designated to return from the IR this week, although he's been ruled out for Sunday's game.

Jets sign QB Brady Cook to 53-man roster

The Jets have signed undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook to their 53-man roster, with Justin Fields ruled out due to a knee injury. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn expressed doubt that Fields would be able to return next week, so Cook could be the Jets' QB2 for the foreseeable future.

Cook had already been elevated from the practice squad twice, meaning the Jets only had one elevation left. Instead, he's been signed to the active roster, which is likely where he will remain for the rest of the season.

There's a very good chance Fields has been active for his final time as a member of the Jets. Don't be surprised to see Cook as Tyrod Taylor's backup for the remainder of the year.

Jets sign CB Jordan Clark to 53-man roster

The Jets also signed undrafted rookie cornerback Jordan Clark to their 53-man roster in a corresponding move to Brownlee being placed on injured reserve. Clark could see meaningful reps down the stretch.

The Notre Dame product made his NFL debut last week, playing 11 defensive snaps, but Aaron Glenn hinted at an extended role for the rookie corner moving forward. He's a strong candidate to replace Brownlee in the slot.

Other options include Ja'Sir Taylor and Isaiah Oliver, although it would make sense for the Jets to use these final few weeks to evaluate young players like Clark. He should get his share of snaps.

Jets elevate DBs Tre Brown and Nik Needham to active roster for Week 14

With Brownlee on injured reserve, cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers questionable with a concussion, and safety Tony Adams downgraded to doubtful due to a groin injury, the Jets elevated a pair of defensive backs from their practice squad for Week 4.

A fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in the 2021 NFL Draft, Tre Brown played 39 games across four seasons in Seattle, starting 13 games at cornerback. Brown played five games with the Rams this season before joining the Jets' practice squad last month.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old cornerback Nik Needham signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and went on to play 63 games across six seasons in Miami, starting 27 games. He spent the summer with the Browns before signing to the Jets' practice squad in September.

Elevating Brown and Needham suggests the Jets have real doubts about Stiggers clearing concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game. Stiggers was a full participant in practice all week, but players almost never return the very next game after sustaining a concussion.