The Jets placed defensive lineman David Onyemata on injured reserve on September 22, two days after he left the home opener against Green Bay and did not return. Head coach Aaron Glenn said at his Wednesday press conference that Onyemata has already had core muscle surgery.
The short version: Onyemata is on injured reserve with what the Jets listed as a groin injury, and Glenn says he has had core muscle surgery. Glenn expects him back later this season. He must sit at least four games, so Week 7 is the earliest.
What did the Jets announce about David Onyemata?
The team announced on September 22 that it had placed Onyemata on injured reserve, along with linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball and wide receiver Arian Smith. In the same set of moves the Jets signed wide receiver Malik McClain and defensive lineman Jack Heflin to the active roster from the practice squad, and added defensive tackle Isaiah Loudermilk and tight end Cody Hardy to the practice squad. The club characterized Onyemata’s injury as a groin injury sustained against the Packers.
What did Aaron Glenn say about the surgery?
Glenn said Onyemata had core muscle surgery after leaving Sunday’s game and that the team expects him back later in the season. That is the full extent of what has been said publicly about the procedure. The Jets have not put a target date on his return, and nothing beyond Glenn’s “later this season” has been stated, so any specific return week is not something the team has confirmed. It is worth noting that the club’s own transaction release listed the injury as a groin injury while Glenn described the operation as core muscle surgery; both come from the team, and we are reporting each as it was given rather than reconciling them.
When can Onyemata come back?
The earliest possible date is Week 7, because a player placed on injured reserve with a designation to return must miss a minimum of four games. Onyemata went on the list before Week 3, which means Weeks 3 through 6 are off the table: at Detroit, at Chicago, home against Cleveland and at New England. The first game he is eligible for is the October 25 home meeting with Miami. For the mechanics of the list, the return designation and the roster spot it occupies, see our explainer on the NFL injured reserve rules.
How did he get hurt?
Onyemata went down in the Jets’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Packers on September 20 and did not return to the field. He was one of four Jets hurt in that game, along with McCrary-Ball (ankle), Kiko Mauigoa (quad) and tight end Mason Taylor, who picked up a thumb injury late. We covered the initial designation when he was downgraded to out during the Packers game, and the full account of the afternoon is in our Week 2 recap.
What does this mean for the Jets defensive line?
It removes a starter from a group that has been the best part of the team so far. Onyemata, 33, signed with the Jets in March and played in both games this season, and he arrived with 156 career games and 31 sacks across stops in New Orleans and Atlanta. The Jets promoted Jack Heflin from the practice squad the same day and added Loudermilk, who spent five seasons in Pittsburgh working with Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. Through two weeks the Jets held Green Bay to 199 yards and lead the league in total defense, which is the standard the replacements now have to hold. The current status of every Jet on the report is tracked on our Jets injury report.
Frequently asked questions
Is David Onyemata out for the season?
No. Aaron Glenn said the Jets expect Onyemata back later this season after his core muscle surgery.
When was David Onyemata placed on injured reserve?
The Jets announced the move on September 22, 2026, two days after he left the Week 2 loss to Green Bay.
How many games will David Onyemata miss?
At least four. A player placed on injured reserve with a designation to return must sit out a minimum of four games, so Onyemata is out through Week 6 at the earliest.
What is the first game David Onyemata can play in?
The October 25 home game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7 is the first he is eligible for.
Who else did the Jets place on injured reserve on September 22?
Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who hurt his ankle against the Packers, and wide receiver Arian Smith, who injured his knee in the same game.
Who replaces Onyemata on the Jets roster?
The Jets signed defensive lineman Jack Heflin to the active roster from the practice squad and added defensive tackle Isaiah Loudermilk to the practice squad on the same day.