Will McDonald injury update: NY Jets star DE exits with non-contact injury

As if the NY Jets haven't been through enough pain and anguish already, the team may have lost their best pass rusher as defensive end Will McDonald was taken off the field with a non-contact leg injury in the team's Thursday Night Football matchup with the Houston Texans.

Just a few players after star cornerback Sauce Gardner was forced to exit the game with an injury, McDonald appeared to injure his leg attempting to make a tackle in the second quarter of Thursday night's Week 9 game.

McDonald was tended to by trainers for quite some time before being helped off the field. The Jets have not provided an update on his status at the time of writing.

A first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, McDonald leads the Jets in sacks with eight and is second behind only Dexter Lawrence this season. He's one of the most important parts of a Jets defense that has kept the team in many games this year.

Will McDonald injury update

The Jets continue to find creative and unique ways to figuratively shoot themselves in the foot each week, with Malachi Corley's embarrassing fumble the latest in a long line of humiliating slip-ups.

The team can ill-afford an injury to their top pass rusher given their lack of depth on the defensive line. Haason Reddick isn't enough for the Jets to overcome a serious injury to McDonald.

Micheal Clemons has replaced McDonald for the time being with the likes of rookies Eric Watts and Braiden McGregor also receiving more snaps.

McDonald has been seen on the sideline running sprints with his helmet on, a strong indication that the injury is not as serious as initially feared. We will continue to provide updates as more information is revealed.

*Update: Will McDonald has returned to the game.