Four Jets' Practice Squad Players Signed to 53-man Roster for Finale vs. Patriots

New York promotes running back, offensive guard, linebacker and defensive tackle in Week 18

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jan 6, 2024 9:15 PM EST

In this story:

Four New York Jets' Practice Squad players are moving on up prior to the January 7 season finale against the New England Patriots.

On Saturday, the Jets announced they've signed two offensive and two defensive players to their active 53-man roster. Running back Xazavian Valladay and offensive guard Chris Glaser along with defensive lineman Bruce Hector and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball all received Week 18 promotions.

The Jets freed up the necessary roster spots by placing three players onto Injured Reserve — QB Zach Wilson, OL Jake Hanson and TE Jeremy Ruckert.

Valladay is the lone member of the group to have not appeared in a game for the Jets' this season as the undrafted rookie ball carrier looks to make his NFL debut against the Patriots. After starting training camp with the Houston Texans, Valladay was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 15. He did not survive final cuts and subsequently landed with Gang Green's P-Squad.

Valladay joins Breece Hall and fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda as the Jets' active running backs for Week 18.

McCrary-Ball has been a gameday elevation on three prior occasions this season. He was active against Buffalo in Week 11 and against Washington in Week 16, totaling 43 snaps while playing exclusively on special teams. Like Valladay, McCrary-Ball joined the Jets' Practice Squad prior to the start of the regular season. The second-year pro spent the 2022 with the San Francisco 49ers' organization after signing an undrafted free agent deal.

Glaser is in his second stint with the Jets this season. He played in four preseason games for New York this past summer before joining the Practice Squad on September 22. The interior lineman was a gameday elevation in Weeks 3 and 4 but was subsequently released on October 3. After a brief, one-week tenure in Dallas, Glaser returned to the Jets on November 1.

Since rejoining the Jets, the 24-year-old Glaser has appeared in four games. He earned a start at right guard in the Week 11 road loss to Buffalo, playing all 57 offensive snaps.

Hector has the most NFL experience of the four players signed off the Practice Squad on Saturday. The 29-year-old defensive lineman has made 15 regular season appearances dating back to 2018. Hector joined the XFL this past spring before signing with the Jets in early August. He made 2.0 sacks in the against the New York Giants the preseason finale but didn't make the initial 53-man roster.

After a two-week stay on the Houston Texans' P-Squad in September, Hector resurfaced in the same role with the Jets on November 1. Called up for the Week 17 road game against Cleveland, the defensive tackle accounted for two stops and 1.0 TFL.

All four players are eligible to suit up on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The Jets (6-10) and the Patriots (4-12) will kick off at 1:00 pm ET.