New York Jets 53-Man Roster Cut Tracker 2026: Live updates and analysis

The New York Jets' preseason has officially come to an end. The next time the Jets take the field for an actual football game will be for the team's regular-season opener against Robert Saleh and the Tennessee Titans in two weeks' time.

But before then, the Jets have some business to attend to. NFL teams are in the process of trimming 90-man rosters down to 53, with a league-wide deadline set for Sunday, August 28, at 6 pm ET.

That means over 1,100 professional football players will be released from their contracts in the coming days. For some, it'll be a minor bump in the road before latching on with a practice squad or another team. For others, it might just be the end of their football journey.

There will undoubtedly be some surprises as the Jets trim their roster to the league-mandated 53 players. And as always, a team’s initial 53-man roster is rarely the final product. The Jets have the No. 2 spot on the waiver order and could be active in the hours following cutdown day.

This tracker will be used to keep fans up to date with every roster cut the Jets make, including up-to-the-minute analysis on every single move. This is the ONLY roster cut tracker you will need.

Below is a list of all the roster moves the Jets have reportedly made to this point. This list will be regularly updated, so be sure to check back frequently to remain in the know on every move the Jets make over the next couple of days.

*Last Updated: Aug. 30, 2026 at 10:16 pm ET*

1. Jets Roster Cuts Tracker:
2. Jets Roster Cut News and Analysis:

Jets Roster Cuts Tracker:

Jets Roster Cut News and Analysis:

• QB Bailey Zappe - SOURCE

The Jets signed Bailey Zappe to a futures deal in January as a worthwhile flier on a young quarterback who had started (and won!) a handful of NFL games before. He technically entered OTAs competing with Cade Klubnik and Brady Cook for the QB2 job, although it was never a true competition.

Zappe was outplayed by Cook in the preseason and, quite frankly, didn't even look like someone the Jets should keep around on their practice squad. Don't be surprised if the Jets look elsewhere for a practice squad QB.

• DL Junior Tafuna - SOURCE

The Jets claimed Junior Tafuna off waivers from the Houston Texans earlier this month, and he failed to make much of an impression in his brief time with the team this summer. Tafuna's 37.0 PFF grade was the third-lowest among all players on the Jets' roster in the preseason.

Tafuna played a lot of football across four years at Utah and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors on three separate occasions, but the Jets will likely look elsewhere for defensive line depth on their practice squad.

• DL Mazi Smith - SOURCE

Mazi Smith was little more than a throw-in in the Quinnen Williams trade last fall, and he did little during his brief stint in Florham Park to leave much of an impression on Jets fans.

Smith appeared in just three games for the Jets last season and struggled to get run over undrafted rookies and players signed off the street late in the year. His performance this summer didn't do anything to change the narrative.

The former Cowboys first-round pick was one of PFF's lowest-graded Jets in the preseason (41.7), and it's safe to say the team could probably do better as far as practice squad defensive line options are concerned. Don't expect the Jets to bring him back.

• SAF Dean Clark - SOURCE

Dean Clark was one of the most notable members of the Jets' 2025 undrafted class, appearing in 12 games and making two starts as a rookie last season. Clark was primarily used on special teams, although he saw some action on defense late in the year.

A former Kent State and Fresno State standout, Clark put together a quality preseason, allowing zero catches on two targets and finishing with a 0% missed-tackle rate. He's an obvious practice squad candidate who could see some playing time this season if injuries occur.

• CB Jordan Clark - SOURCE

The son of Ryan Clark, Jordan Clark signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie last year, and he went on to appear in six games late in the season, albeit with less-than-stellar results. Clark returned this summer, however, and put together an impressive preseason that saw him make a late push for a roster spot.

The 25-year-old finished second on the Jets with 14 total tackles and earned an excellent 80.7 PFF coverage grade, also tying for the team lead with eight total run stops. Clark has played a lot of football (56 games) across four years at Arizona State and one year at Notre Dame in 2025.

He should be a priority practice squad addition as developmental nickel cornerback and safety depth.

• OLB Nate Lynn - SOURCE

Everyone's favorite preseason darling, Nate Lynn was always fighting an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster after arriving in camp so late. Still, it's hard to argue he didn't do enough to earn a spot.

Lynn led the Jets with six pressures and three sacks despite playing just two preseason games, finishing with an 86.5 PFF pass-rush grade that ranked fifth-best among qualified edge defenders.

Lynn has impressed every time he's been given an opportunity in his professional career, but for whatever reason, he's yet to stick with an NFL team. Jets fans will hope to see Lynn return to the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.

• DL Jack Heflin - SOURCE

Jack Heflin quietly put together an impressive summer with the Jets as one of the team's top reserve defensive linemen. Heflin flashed in training camp and carried that over into the preseason, where he finished with five pressures and seven run stops, both of which ranked second-best on the team.

The former Iowa and XFL standout has appeared in seven NFL games with four different teams since entering the league as a UDFA back in 2021. The Jets plan to re-sign him to their practice squad as quality interior defensive line depth if he clears waivers.

• OG Marquis Hayes - SOURCE

Most have probably forgotten by now, but Marquis Hayes actually made the initial Jets 53-man roster in 2025 prior to waiver claims. This time, he isn't as fortunate, though the former Oklahoma standout was once again very impressive this summer.

Hayes was PFF's highest-graded Jets offensive lineman in the preseason, posting an excellent 85.2 grade that ranked sixth-best among all qualified guards (min. 70 snaps). The Jets plan to bring him back on their practice squad if he goes unclaimed, per SNY's Connor Hughes.

• OG Xavier Newman - SOURCE

Xavier Newman became expendable following the trade for backup center/guard Jordan Meredith. Newman has appeared in 21 games for the Jets over the last three seasons, primarily serving as a backup guard, although the team also tried him as a backup center.

That experiment didn't go very well this summer, as Newman struggled with his snaps, including a trio of mishaps in Friday's preseason finale. Meredith gives the Jets the versatile backup interior offensive line depth they were seeking with Newman.

Newman is a vested veteran and is not subject to waivers. He's an obvious candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad,

• WR Quincy Skinner Jr. - SOURCE

No relation to 2025 preseason standout Quentin Skinner, Quincy Skinner Jr. joined the Jets in late July and somewhat surprisingly went on to lead the team in receiving this summer, finishing with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Skinner spent four years at Vanderbilt but never finished with more than 400 yards in a season. Still, the Jets clearly saw enough in the Florida native to give him a shot after his brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons last year. He remains a practice squad candidate after flashing in the preseason.

• OLB Anthony Dunn Jr. - SOURCE

The Jets just signed former Toledo standout Anthony Dunn Jr. last week as an extra camp body before the team's final preseason game. Dunn recorded four total tackles in that game and finished with a 51.0 PFF grade.

A former Florida A&M recruit, Dunn spent time with the Chiefs this summer before signing with the Jets and could be a practice squad candidate, although he's unlikely to be a priority addition.

• CB Mory Bamba - SOURCE

Mory Bamba was the breakout star of the Jets’ preseason opener, earning an impressive 89.1 PFF coverage grade while allowing just four catches for 54 yards on 10 targets. After one game, Jets fans were already joking that “Bamba Island” might be the best cornerback vacation destination since "Revis Island."

Unfortunately, that would be the only preseason appearance for the BYU product. Bamba suffered a knee injury in that game and has yet to return to practice at the time of writing.

Bamba didn't start playing football until a few years ago, was never a starter in college, and turns 26 years old in November. Still, he's a 6-foot-2 cornerback who runs a 4.29 40-yard dash. That's someone you keep around on the practice squad, assuming he's healthy and clears waivers.

• WR Junior Bergen - SOURCE

The Jets signed former 49ers seventh-round pick Junior Bergen last week as extra wide receiver/return specialist depth, and he flashed his playmaking at times over the final two preseason games.

Bergen is the FCS all-time leader in punt return touchdowns, which could provide a path to sticking around on the practice squad. He's likely competing with someone like Jamaal Pritchett for a spot.

• WR Cam Camper - SOURCE

Cam Camper was a late addition to the Jets' summer roster, joining the team just before the start of August after a successful stint in the UFL under Orlando Storm head coach Anthony Becht.

Camper made some plays in the preseason and offers an intriguing blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds. He's someone who could definitely be brought back on the practice squad.

• QB Brady Cook - SOURCE

Brady Cook was handed the unenviable task of starting the final four games of the Jets' 2025 season, and the results were about what you'd expect from an undrafted rookie surrounded by practice squad players.

Cook spent the entire summer as the Jets’ fourth-string quarterback, and while he notably outperformed Bailey Zappe in the preseason, his opportunities were still extremely limited.

He attempted just eight passes over the final two games and played fewer than 10 snaps in each contest, which doesn’t exactly bode well for his chances of sticking around on the practice squad.

• OLB Paschal Ekeji - SOURCE

Paschal Ekeji is the Jets’ designated IPP player, meaning he’s likely to return to the practice squad as the team’s 17th member. NFL teams are permitted an additional practice squad spot for a player who entered the league through the International Player Pathway Program.

Ekeji predictably struggled in the preseason, as you'd expect from a guy who had never played an organized game of football in his life, finishing with a lowly 31.6 PFF grade. Still, unless the Jets add a different international player, he's likely practice-squad-bound.

• OT Courtland Ford - SOURCE

Undrafted rookie Courtland Ford joined the Jets in late May after a college career that saw him start 25 games across stops at USC, Kentucky, and UCLA. While he has NFL-caliber size at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Ford did not look ready for the NFL level this summer.

Ford allowed a team-worst four pressures and two sacks in the preseason, finishing with a lowly 33.7 Pro Football Focus pass-block grade. The Jets will probably look elsewhere for offensive tackle depth on their practice squad.

• OC Liam Fornadel - SOURCE

A New Jersey native and Don Bosco Prep alumnus, Liam Fornadel spent all of last season on the Jets' practice squad after impressing in the summer. He worked as the Jets' third-team center throughout training camp and put together reasonably impressive tape in the preseason.

Fornadel has had multiple stints with the UFL's DC Defenders and started his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. Given the Jets' lack of traditional center depth, it might make sense to keep the veteran Fornadel around, especially after another quality summer captaining the third-team offensive line.

• CB Keenan Garber - SOURCE

Keenan Garber was the last cornerback on the Jets' depth chart this summer after joining the team less than two weeks ago. Garber struggled at times in the preseason, allowing seven catches (on seven targets) for 106 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to Xavier Gipson in the preseason finale.

Garber spent time with the Vikings, Colts, and Lions last year, but the Jets will likely look elsewhere for cornerback depth on their practice squad. There were a number of other players on the 90-man roster who made more of a positive impression.

• OG Xavier Hill - SOURCE

Xavier Hill was probably the Jets' best undrafted rookie offensive lineman this summer. The former Memphis and Colorado standout guard finished with a rock-solid 73.4 PFF grade working with the third-team offense, allowing zero pressures or sacks on 44 pass-block snaps.

Hill didn't start playing organized football until his junior year of high school, so it's possible there's still some developmental upside here despite his age (he turned 25 in March). He feels like someone the Jets should look to bring back on their practice squad.

• LB Jaden Keller - SOURCE

Jaden Keller signed with the Jets following a successful tryout at rookie minicamp in May, and he put together some impressive performances in the preseason. Keller recorded a sack, a PBU, three run stops, and 10 total tackles working with the third-team defense.

The Tennessee native spent five years at Virginia Tech and is an intriguing athlete, posting an excellent 9.70 RAS (Relative Athletic Score). He probably did enough to earn serious practice squad consideration with his performance this summer.

• WR Malik McClain - SOURCE

Malik McClain was the Jets' most exciting undrafted receiver this summer and someone who made a quiet push for a roster spot. McClain spent considerable time with the second-team offense and even made a couple of notable plays as a gunner on punt coverage.

A former four-star recruit, McClain is a bit of an enigma. The Florida State recruit posted an outstanding 9.92 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), due in part to a 4.46 40-yard dash time at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. Despite his obvious physical traits, however, McClain never topped 450 yards in a season in college.

Still, McClain is likely to be a priority practice squad add for the Jets, as he'll hopefully be able to continue developing as a receiver and special-teams player throughout the season.

• SAF Jarius Monroe - SOURCE

Jarius Monroe entered his third summer with the Jets this year, making the switch back to safety after the team briefly tried him as a cornerback last summer. Monroe is a fiery DB who plays with excellent physicality and intensity, though his athletic limitations are apparent at times.

The Tulane product has appeared in nine games for the Jets over the last two years and made a late push for a 53-man roster spot last summer before an untimely injury ended his bid. He should be a strong bet to return to the practice squad.

• DT Payton Page - SOURCE

Payton Page initially signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson last year, appearing in four games for the team down the stretch. He returned this summer and did have his moments in the preseason, although he was always a roster longshot.

Page finished second on the Jets with five total pressures this summer, though his run defense left a lot to be desired. Still, he probably did enough to warrant another year on the practice squad.

• WR Jamaal Pritchett - SOURCE

Jamaal Pritchett returned for his second summer with the Jets after spending all of the 2025 season on the team's practice squad. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury and was unable to participate in either of the Jets' final two preseason games.

Pritchett is an undersized but exciting return specialist who was working with the second-team offense prior to his injury. He figures to have the edge over someone like Junior Bergen for a practice squad spot, assuming he's healthy.

• SAF Tanner Wall - SOURCE

Tanner Wall had been with the Jets for less than a week when he was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts. He quietly made the most of his lone preseason opportunity, earning a 73.0 PFF grade in the finale and finishing as one of the Jets’ highest-graded players.

Still, with such a limited sample size, there was only so much Wall could do to make a lasting impression. Wall was a team captain and first-team All-Big-12 selection at BYU (where he was teammates with Mory Bamba), so he has a notable enough pedigree to warrant practice squad consideration.

• LB Chase Wilson - SOURCE

Both Jets undrafted rookie linebackers had their moments this summer, as Chase Wilson — another rookie minicamp tryout — might have also done enough to warrant practice squad consideration.

Wilson spent four years at Colorado State before transferring to West Virginia in 2025, where he emerged as a team leader on defense. The Colorado native recorded one sack, three run stops, and 11 total tackles in the preseason.

• CB Samuel Womack - SOURCE

Samuel Womack quietly put together an extremely impressive summer with the Jets, finishing as PFF's highest-graded cornerback by coverage grade (91.1) of the preseason.

Womack was targeted six times in coverage, allowing just two catches for eight yards and an absurdly low 2.8 passer rating when targeted. He also picked off a pass in the Jets’ second preseason game, capping an impressive summer for the former 49ers fifth-round pick.

Womack has appeared in nearly 50 career NFL games (including one with the Jets last year) and started eight games for the Colts in 2024, so he's not some random career practice-squad player.

The Jets would be wise to bring him back as veteran cornerback depth on the practice squad. He is a vested veteran and is not subject to waivers.

• OT Landon Young - SOURCE

There was a thought that veteran offensive tackle Landon Young could push for a roster spot this summer after signing with the Jets following a successful tryout at rookie minicamp in May. That never materialized, though.

Young allowed a team-high four pressures and finished with a team-worst 29.3 PFF pass-block grade in the preseason, working with the third-team offense. Given his experience (56 career games, 12 starts), it's possible he sticks around on the practice squad, but his performance this summer didn't inspire much confidence.

• TE Chase Curtis - SOURCE

A converted wide receiver, Chase Curtis signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent after spending six years at TCU, though he never topped 170 receiving yards in a single season.

Curtis had some moments early in training camp but suffered a knee injury in the Jets' second preseason game, which derailed his summer. He was waived with an injury designation, meaning he will revert to the Jets' IR once he clears waivers.

• TE Connor Hulstein - SOURCE

Connor Hulstein received a rookie minicamp tryout with the Jets back in May, although he didn't officially receive a contract from the team until August.

The former Marist standout has intriguing size at 6-foot-6, 247 pounds, though he failed to make much of an impact in the preseason and was the final tight end on the depth chart. Hulstein was waived with an injury designation, meaning he will revert to the Jets' IR once he clears waivers.

• RB Dominic Richardson - SOURCE

The Jets signed undrafted rookie Dominic Richardson last week following an injury to fellow UDFA Sam Scott, and he saw some action in Friday night's preseason finale. Unfortunately, he suffered a potentially serious elbow injury and will revert to the Jets' injured reserve if he clears waivers.

The Oklahoma native is a powerful back who rushed for over 1,000 yards at Tulsa last year, but his untimely injury likely ended his bid for a practice squad spot. Expect the Jets to look elsewhere for a practice squad running back.

• OLB Tyler Baron - SOURCE

The Jets moved 2025 fifth-round pick Tyler Baron to the reserve/PUP list, meaning that his season has already come to an end. Baron suffered a knee injury in December and missed all of training camp as he continued to work his way back.

The former Tennessee standout failed to make much of an impact in his limited playing time with the Jets last year and likely would not have made the 53-man roster, even if he was healthy. He will now miss the entire 2026 season.

• CB Tre Brown - SOURCE

Tre Brown was signed to the Jets' practice squad in November of last year, and he went on to appear in five games down the stretch, even starting the final game of the season. Brown quietly put together a very strong summer for the Jets, finishing with an 83.6 PFF grade in the preseason.

The former Seahawks fourth-round pick has appeared in nearly 50 career NFL games and turns 29 years old next month, so he's hardly a developmental option. Brown was also placed on the season-ending IR, meaning he will miss the entire 2026 season unless the two sides agree to terms on an injury settlement.

• RB Chip Trayanum - SOURCE

Chip Trayanum was one of the more notable UDFAs the Jets added this spring. The former Arizona State and Ohio State standout showcased his bruising rushing style in the Jets' preseason finale but suffered a neck injury on the final play of the first half.

He was placed on the season-ending injured reserve, but the two sides could agree to terms on an injury settlement in the future, which would allow him to seek other opportunities. The Jets will likely look elsewhere for their practice squad running back.

• LB Mykal Walker - SOURCE

The Jets have unfortunately placed linebacker Mykal Walker on the season-ending injured reserve, meaning his 2026 season is over unless the two sides reach an agreement on an injury settlement.

Walker appeared in 14 games for the Jets, making five starts, and performed quite well down the stretch. The Jets expected him to be one of their top backup linebackers entering 2026, but he suffered a calf injury late in the summer, and the team opted not to use one of their eight designated-to-return IR spots on him.

• OG Anez Cooper - SOURCE

The Jets have placed rookie offensive guard Anez Cooper on the injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

Cooper flashed in the preseason with an excellent performance in his NFL debut and was soon promoted from the third team to the second team offensive line. Unfortunately, he suffered a potential shoulder injury in the preseason finale and will miss time.

The fact that the Jets have him listed as a designated-to-return candidate suggests they don't believe his injury is season-ending, which is a positive update.

• SAF VJ Payne - SOURCE

The Jets have placed rookie safety VJ Payne on the injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

Payne missed most of training camp with a bone bruise, although head coach Aaron Glenn insisted earlier this month that his injury would likely only sideline him for 3-4 weeks. His placement on the IR suggests that the Jets don't believe he's ready for action just yet.

This is likely just an IR stash as the Jets get Payne, a seventh-round rookie, up to speed after he missed most of the summer. He will be eligible to return as early as Week 5.

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