Jets promote Levao and keep Grupe as practice-squad kicking depth

The Jets signed offensive lineman Kohl Levao to their active roster Thursday and brought kicker Blake Grupe and cornerback Jordan Clark back to the practice squad. The club released safety John Saunders Jr. from the practice squad in the same set of moves.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported the planned Levao signing and the two practice-squad returns Wednesday. New York's Thursday announcement confirmed that Grupe and Clark had cleared waivers.

For fantasy managers, the kicking distinction matters. Grupe's return keeps another kicker in the organization, but New York signed Jason Sanders to the active roster Tuesday after using him as a practice-squad elevation in each of the first three games. Thursday's move does not announce a change in the kicking job.

Sanders has made five of six field-goal attempts and scored 20 points, according to the Jets' Tuesday transaction report. He converted from 42 yards against Detroit after earlier makes of 52, 51 and 33 yards at Tennessee and 32 yards against Green Bay.

The Jets claimed Grupe off waivers from Indianapolis on August 31 before waiving him Tuesday. The team says he made all 11 field-goal attempts in the final five games of the Colts' 2025 season. He now provides practice-squad depth behind a kicker who has been taking New York's game attempts.

Levao's promotion adds an offensive lineman to the 53 as the Jets prepare to visit Chicago. Starting guard Dylan Parham did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. The promotion gives New York another roster option without announcing Levao as a starter or establishing Parham's final game status.

Clark has played in two games this season, with 17 special-teams snaps, the Jets said. His return preserves depth after the team waived him alongside Grupe.

The confirmed changes put Levao on the active roster and Grupe and Clark on the practice squad. A practice-squad signing alone does not place either player in Sunday's lineup.