The New York Jets reinforced their kicking corps Monday by claiming Blake Grupe off waivers, a day after the Indianapolis Colts released him. The move comes amid ongoing struggles at the position following an unsettled offseason competition between Jason Sanders and Cade York.
Sanders was initially favored to remain the Jets’ kicker after York was waived last week. However, Sanders missed an extra point and a field goal during Friday’s preseason game against the New York Giants, prompting the Jets to release him and subsequently add Grupe to the active roster. Sanders was signed to the practice squad.
Grupe, 26, lost a kicking competition in Indianapolis to Spencer Shrader. During the preseason, he converted two of four field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards and made both extra point tries. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn expressed confidence in Grupe, emphasizing the team’s commitment to competition at the position. “He’s a good player. I’m looking forward to him getting out here with us,” Glenn said.
A former Notre Dame kicker, Grupe has been in the NFL since 2023. He spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints before being released in November 2025 and subsequently joining the Colts, where he appeared in five games. Last season, Grupe made 29 of 37 field goal attempts, though he converted just five of 11 from beyond 40 yards. His career statistics include 86 of 105 field goals made, a long of 60 yards, and 96 of 98 extra points converted.
The Jets’ search for a reliable kicker intensified following the departure of Nick Folk, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Folk was 28-for-29 on field goals with a 58-yard long in the previous season but was not re-signed by New York.
In other roster news, edge rusher Joseph Ossai sustained a torn plantar fascia in his foot during the preseason game against the Giants. Glenn described Ossai’s condition as “week to week” and expressed relief that the injury was not a partial tear, anticipating it will not sideline the player for an extended period.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq returned to on-field drills after recovering from a hernia surgery setback, while cornerback D’Angelo Ponds continued calf rehabilitation alongside trainers during practice. Running backs Breece Hall (groin) and Isaiah Davis (knee) remain on track to play in the Jets’ Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Additionally, the Jets claimed linebacker Trevin Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick, off waivers from the Carolina Panthers. To accommodate Wallace, the team waived guard Kohl Levao to clear a roster spot.