The New York Jets are severely banged up at edge rusher.
In Week 4, they lost Braiden McGregor for the year due to a pectoral injury, while Joseph Ossai suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s win. He also missed the first two weeks of the regular season, along with most of the summer, because of a separate foot issue.
Meanwhile, Will McDonald and Kingsley Enagbare each entered Sunday’s game as game-time decisions but ultimately suited up.
With depth becoming a concern, the Jets hosted veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon for a workout on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
Judon, 34, is an 11-year NFL veteran. Drafted in 2016 as a fifth-round pick, he has played for the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers. He is best known for his 2019-22 stretch with the Ravens and Patriots, during which he made four straight Pro Bowls and logged 43.5 sacks, including a 15.5-sack year with New England in 2022.
Following that excellent season with the Patriots, though, things started to go downhill for the 34-year-old. The following year, he suffered a lower bicep injury that limited him to just four games, though he still generated four sacks. Then, in 2024, he was traded to the Falcons and wasn’t a great scheme fit, as reflected by his 5.5 sacks across 17 games.
Judon spent 2025 with the Dolphins after signing a one-year, $6 million contract. He struggled, recording just three quarterback hits and zero sacks in 13 games before the team released him in December. The pass-rusher spent 12 days with the 49ers and was elevated off their practice squad for Week 4, where he tallied a stop on 15 snaps before being released on Saturday.
Judon has the track record. He is a multi-time Pro Bowler, but the production in recent seasons just hasn’t been there. Since 2024, though, he’s played in 32 games (18 starts), generating just 5.5 sacks, 36 pressures, 12 quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery.
While Ossai’s status remains unknown, Judon’s workout suggests that the Jets are at least exploring proven depth options at a depleted position group.
