The Jets’ defensive front took another hit heading into Week 8, and this one lands right in the middle of the line. New York has placed defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat on injured reserve after he hurt his knee in the second quarter of the Week 7 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Sweat is expected to return at some point this season. For now, though, the Jets will be without him for at least the next four games.
To fill the roster spot, the team elevated defensive tackle Payton Page to the active roster.
Sweat, whom the Jets acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans this offseason, has been one of the team’s most impactful defensive players. His absence leaves a major hole on the interior, and not just in terms of production. At 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds, he brings a massive presence that New York will now have to replace.
That opens the door for Darrell Jackson Jr., the fourth-round rookie who has flashed in recent weeks, to see a bigger workload. Jowon Briggs is another name to watch, though his play has dipped after an excellent 2025 campaign.
It’s a rough development for a Jets front seven that has already been under pressure lately. Losing Sweat only makes the challenge tougher, especially with veteran Harrison Phillips continuing to struggle at defensive tackle.
There is at least one silver lining for New York this week: the Raiders have had a hard time running the ball all season. Las Vegas ranks 32nd in both rushing yards per game at 55.8 and yards per attempt at 2.8 during its active four-game losing streak.
In Other News...
Jets Passing Debate Now Centers On One Garrett Wilson Question
Garrett Wilsons frustration with his role in the passing game has become part of the conversation around the Jets offense, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich is not trying to smooth it over. Reich described the receivers desire for more targets as healthy tension while defending a plan that spreads the ball around instead of locking onto one option, even as Wilson has remained the teams most productive pass catcher this season with 37 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns.
The latest flashpoint came in the recent game against Miami, where the Jets again tried to balance getting Wilson involved with keeping the rest of the passing game active. Reich pointed to how attention on Wilson can create chances elsewhere, including for Omar Cooper Jr., but the larger issue remains the same for a team that has struggled to win games: finding an offense that keeps its top receiver engaged without making the attack too predictable. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Lose T'Vondre Sweat And Now Face A Tough Timeline
The Jets have lost another piece in the middle of their defense, placing defensive tackle TVondre Sweat on injured reserve and forcing him out for at least the next four games. Sweat had become a steady presence in the rotation, appearing in seven games and contributing 17 combined tackles along with two tackles for loss before the setback.
For a defense built around controlling the line of scrimmage, the timing is less than ideal, and it leaves the Jets with a short-term hole to patch in Aaron Glenns 3-4 front. The club still believes Sweat can be back later this season, but the immediate challenge is finding enough stability inside while he works his way toward a return. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Sent A Clear Message In The Will McDonald Debate
Will McDonald IV has become one of the more interesting names on the Jets roster as the season has worn on, and not just because of his play. According to Sports Illustrateds Albert Breer, there has been significant trade interest in the edge rusher, a sign that other teams still see value in a player whose production has not matched the expectation around him this year.
For the Jets, though, the message has been clear. They have not moved him, and with his fifth-year option already exercised, McDonald remains under team control through 2027. Even with the numbers not jumping off the page, New York appears intent on riding out the rest of the season with him in the mix rather than turning a draft pick into a short-term fix. [Read more 🡒]