Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Marcelino McCrary-Ball is a New York Jets linebacker and special teams ace who wears No. 41. He arrived as an undrafted free agent, worked his way up through the third phase of the game, and was voted one of the club’s six captains in 2025. See the full Jets roster hub.
Background and Path to the Jets
McCrary-Ball played his college football at Indiana and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent two training camps with San Francisco without cracking the roster, then joined the Jets midseason in 2023.
In New York, he built his game on special teams. The Jets have given him 389 special teams snaps and 114 on defense since 2023, and in 2025 his teammates voted him one of six captains. He is listed at 6-0, 214 pounds, and is in his third accrued NFL season.
His 2026 preseason finale against the Giants was the clearest statement of the climb: he started, intercepted Jameis Winston on the opening drive, and punched a ball loose that Qwan’tez Stiggers recovered in the end zone. Head coach Aaron Glenn’s summary was short — “Just hats off to him.”
Career Snapshot
| Season | Team | G | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | San Francisco 49ers | — | Undrafted free agent out of Indiana; two training camps |
| 2023 | New York Jets | 2 | Signed midway through the season |
| 2024 | New York Jets | 12 | 7 combined tackles |
| 2025 | New York Jets | 5 | 23 combined tackles, 1 forced fumble; named a team captain |
| 2026 | New York Jets | 1 | Forced a fumble against the Titans in Week 1 |
| Career | — | 20 | 31 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles |
Two club sources differ slightly on the game count: the Jets’ September 22 transaction release cited 21 appearances, while the team’s own career table totals 20. Both are the club’s own figures and we report them as given.
Current Status
On injured reserve as of September 22, 2026. McCrary-Ball hurt his ankle in the Jets’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Packers on September 20, left the game, and did not return. The club placed him on injured reserve two days later, alongside David Onyemata and Arian Smith. The Jets have not put a timetable on his return, and a player on injured reserve with a designation to return must sit at least four games — the mechanics are covered in our guide to the NFL injured reserve rules. Any change in designation will appear on the Jets injury hub.
Latest on Marcelino McCrary-Ball
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Marcelino McCrary-Ball?
Marcelino McCrary-Ball is a New York Jets linebacker and special teams ace who wears No. 41. He joined the Jets in 2023 and was one of the club’s six captains in 2025.
What happened to Marcelino McCrary-Ball?
He hurt his ankle in the Week 2 overtime loss to Green Bay on September 20, 2026, did not return, and the Jets placed him on injured reserve on September 22.
How long will Marcelino McCrary-Ball be out?
The Jets have not given a timetable. A player placed on injured reserve with a designation to return must miss at least four games.
What college did Marcelino McCrary-Ball attend?
Indiana. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022 and spent two training camps there before joining the Jets.
What number does Marcelino McCrary-Ball wear?
He wears No. 41 for the New York Jets.
Was Marcelino McCrary-Ball a Jets captain?
Yes. His teammates voted him one of the Jets’ six captains for the 2025 season, the club’s special teams representative.