The New York Jets are getting some much-needed reinforcements.
Ahead of the Week 12 road game versus the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets announced that they have “designated” linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball to return from injured reserve.
This first step will allow McCrary-Ball to return to practice. The team is opening its 21-day practice window. That means the Jets have three weeks to add him to the active roster from IR.
If they do before that time is up, he will rejoin the team in a full capacity. However, if they don’t activate him by the end of the 21 days, McCrary-Ball will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
The talented linebacker was originally placed on injured reserve on September 23 after he suffered a hamstring injury during the Week 3 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Provides Depth at LB and Extra Juice on Special Teams
“In three games this season, McCrary-Ball played 77 defensive snaps and 75 special teams snaps, recording 17 tackles,” Jets editorial contributor Susanna Weir wrote in a press release.
The Jets have had an array of injury issues at the linebacker position this season. When McCrary-Ball is cleared for a full return, he will be a welcome addition to that unit.
Not a lot has gone right for a team that boasts a 2-8 record and would hold a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL draft if the season ended today. However, their special teams unit has been elite.
Placekicker Nick Folk and punter Austin McNamara are having career years. For the first time in Jets’ franchise history, they had two return touchdowns (one on a kickoff and one on a punt) in the first quarter of a game.
Now McCrary-Ball, who has cut his teeth on special teams, adds another piece to the puzzle. McCrary-Ball, 26, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Most Surprising Team Captain That Was Selected in 2025
Before the season, the players on the Jets roster voted for their six team captains.
They featured some obvious names like starting quarterback Justin Fields, starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, starting wide receiver Garrett Wilson, starting linebacker Jamien Sherwood, and starting defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
No surprises there. All of these names are straws that stir the drink, have sizable contracts, and command respect on the team.
However, the final team captain that was revealed raised eyebrows on social media. It was backup linebacker and special teamer Marcelino McCrary-Ball.
“An undrafted free agent who initially signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, McCrary-Ball had stints on the practice squad and the active roster with the Jets in 2023 and ’24. He became a special teams regular last season over 12 games, appearing in 200 snaps and recording 7 coverage tackles, tied for second-most on the Jets,” Jets senior reporter Eric Allen and Jets senior contributor Randy Lange wrote in a press release.
“The journey is still ongoing, so I’m not done yet, not even close,” McCrary-Ball explained after being named a captain via the Jets. “So to be named [a] captain, recognized by my peers, and see that they believe me 100 percent to lead the special teams, I mean, it’s an honor, for sure. It’s definitely an honor.”
“I feel like my attitude, the energy I bring. I feel like, whether I’m here for two years, whether I’m playing two games, I feel like the energy I bring, it’s recognized,” McCrary-Ball added via the Jets.
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