The New York Jets have made their first moves ahead of the Week 1 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gang Green announced on social media that they have signed veteran linebacker Mykal Walker and brought back running back Lawrance Toafili on the practice squad.
In a corresponding move, the team cut ties with rookie linebacker Aaron ‘Boog’ Smith from the practice squad.
We’ve signed RB Lawrance Toafili and LB Mykal Walker to the practice squad.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 1, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Jets Add More Experience to the LB Room
Walker, 28, is listed at 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 235 pounds. He entered the league as the No. 119 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
He is a well-traveled man. The former Azusa Pacific and Fresno State product has been on six NFL teams during that span; the Jets will be squad No. 7.
Walker has appeared in 74 games and has made 25 starts. He has totaled 241 tackles, one sack, four quarterback hits, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and four interceptions.
He spent this offseason with the Arizona Cardinals in training camp. Last year, he appeared in all 17 games for the Washington Commanders. Walker was on the field for 74% of the Commanders’ special teams snaps.
Jets Bring Back a Talented Runner
Toafili tried out for the Jets during rookie minicamp, but didn’t make the team. At the beginning of training camp, they signed him to the 91-man roster.
During the preseason, he toted the 15 times for 79 rushing yards, per Jets senior reporter Eric Allen. That was highlighted with a 19-yard rushing score in the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“In 55 games at Florida State, Toafili, 23, rushed 340 times for 1,895 yards (5.6 per) and 15 TDs and had 92 receptions for 904 yards (9.8 per) and 4 TDs. He became just the fifth player in FSU history to score both a receiving and rushing touchdown of at least 70 yards,” Allen posted in the press release.
Jets Finally Fill out Their Full Practice Squad
Most NFL teams are allowed to carry 16 players on the practice squad. Some teams in the league are granted a roster exemption for carrying players from the NFL’s international pathway program. The Jets are one of those teams.
Earlier this offseason, they brought in German big man Leander Wiegand. He is listed at 6-foot-5 and tips the scales at 291 pounds.
The Jets didn’t fill their full practice squad until Monday, September 1.
Full List of Jets Practice Squad Players
The Jets have three defensive backs: Jordan Clark, Dean Clark, and Korie Black. Gang Green boasts two defensive linemen, one defensive end, and one defensive tackle: Eric Watts and Payton Page. They also have two linebackers: Walker mentioned above and Jackson Sirmon.
Gang Green has one special teamer, placekicker Harrison Mevis.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Jets have three hog mollies: Wiegand, Marquis Hayes, and Kohl Levao.
The Jets only have one QB on the practice squad, Brady Cook, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason out of Missouri.
The green and white are carrying four wide receivers: Tyler Johnson, Jamaal Pritchett, Quentin Skinner, and Brandon Smith.
On Monday, September 1, they brought back Toafili as the only RB representative on the practice squad.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jets Sign Vet LB, Cut Rookie in First Moves Ahead of Steelers Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.