The Jets reshaped the edges of their roster on Tuesday, releasing veteran linebacker Troy Reeder and signing edge rusher Quinton Bell to the practice squad. Three more moves landed the same day. None of them touches the lineup that beat Cleveland, but together they mark where the Jets think their depth is thinnest.
The Jets released linebacker Troy Reeder and signed edge Quinton Bell to the practice squad on October 13, 2026. They also added receiver Jamaal Pritchett to the practice squad and released receiver Tyler Johnson and tight end Cody Hardy from it, five moves in all.
What moves did the Jets make on Tuesday?
The Jets made five transactions on October 13: one release from the 53-man roster, two releases from the practice squad and two practice squad signings. The club announced Reeder and Bell in a transaction release on its official site, and the receiver swap in a separate New York Jets announcement.
Why did the Jets release Troy Reeder?
The Jets gave no reason, and the team’s announcement stated the move without explanation.
Reeder signed to the practice squad on September 2 and reached the active roster on September 22. He dressed for four games, recording four tackles and playing 85 special teams snaps — a core special teams piece rather than a defensive one. An undrafted Rams signing in 2019, he has played 107 games with 38 starts.
Who is Quinton Bell?
Bell is a 6-4, 258-pound edge rusher who was with the San Francisco 49ers this summer and has appeared in 33 NFL games across four seasons.
A seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2019, Bell has played for Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Miami, with 38 tackles and one sack. He joins an edge group the Jets have patched for two weeks: Braiden McGregor went on injured reserve October 6, Nate Lynn was elevated the same day, and Will McDonald IV entered Week 5 questionable with a calf injury. That group still produced eight sacks against Cleveland, as our Week 5 recap against the Browns detailed.
What do the receiver moves mean?
The Jets swapped one practice squad receiver for another, bringing Jamaal Pritchett back three days after waiving him.
Pritchett, an undrafted Jets signing in May 2025, was promoted for Week 3 and made his NFL debut against Detroit on three special teams snaps that included a 27-yard kick return. Tyler Johnson, released to make room, is a six-year veteran with 88 career catches.
What does this change before the Patriots game?
Very little on Sunday — none of the five players is a projected starter at New England.
Practice squad players must be elevated to play, so Bell and Pritchett are depth insurance rather than Week 6 contributors; the rules sit in our guide to how the NFL practice squad works. Reeder’s release is the one subtraction that shows up on a game day, because those 85 special teams snaps now belong to someone else — familiar churn for a roster that has gone from adding Will Levis to the practice squad to signing kicker Jason Sanders to the 53.
At 2-3 after the 17-12 win over Cleveland, the Jets travel to New England on Sunday, October 18 for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS. More sits in our Jets analysis section.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Jets release Troy Reeder?
The Jets did not give a reason. The team announced the release on October 13, 2026 without explanation, alongside the signing of edge Quinton Bell.
Who is Quinton Bell?
Bell is a 6-4, 258-pound edge rusher. A seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2019, he has played 33 games for Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Miami, and was with the 49ers this preseason.
Is Jamaal Pritchett back on the Jets roster?
Yes, on the practice squad. The Jets waived him on October 10 and re-signed him on October 13.
Can the Jets play Quinton Bell against the Patriots?
Only if they elevate him. A practice squad player must be elevated or signed to the active roster before he can play in a game.
How many moves did the Jets make on October 13, 2026?
Five: Reeder released from the active roster, Tyler Johnson and Cody Hardy released from the practice squad, and Quinton Bell and Jamaal Pritchett signed to it.
When do the Jets play next?
At the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1 p.m. ET on CBS. They enter 2-3 after beating Cleveland 17-12.