The New York Jets’ defensive line is close to full strength.
Four days after moving edge rusher Joseph Ossai from the PUP list to the active roster, the Jets are set to bring another potential starting lineman off an injury list. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat has passed his physical and is coming off the NFI (non-football injury) list.
Sweat, 25, has been nursing a hamstring injury. Per Cimini, Sweat is expected to work his way back “slowly” during the upcoming week and will be evaluated at the end of the week.
The Jets acquired Sweat from the Tennessee Titans in February in exchange for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who made his preseason debut with Tennessee this past week. Sweat, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds, is expected to be the Jets’ starting nose tackle.
A second-round pick out of Texas in 2024, Sweat has already blossomed into one of the NFL’s best run defenders. In 29 career games (28 starts), he has racked up 85 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss. Sweat is no slouch as a pass rusher for a player in his role, either, collecting three sacks, six quarterback hits, two pass deflections, and 41 total pressures.
Sweat is one of multiple veteran additions to the Jets’ defensive line this offseason, along with Ossai, edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, and defensive tackle David Onyemata. All four players are known for their run defense; together, they could help the Jets field one of the NFL’s most improved run defenses just one year after being among the league’s worst in that phase.
Soon, the Jets will have the entirety of their revamped defensive line on the field.
