Joseph Ossai
Joseph Ossai is an edge rusher for the New York Jets, signed in free agency in March 2026 after five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He left the preseason finale with a foot injury but was the only one of six injured Jets to make the initial 53-man roster.
Background & Path to the Jets
Ossai played at Texas from 2018 to 2020, where the 6-foot-4 edge defender led the Big 12 with 16 tackles for loss as a junior. Across 36 games for the Longhorns he recorded 165 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Cincinnati drafted him 69th overall in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Through the 2025 season he had accumulated 116 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and a defensive touchdown.
His 2025 was his most productive: five sacks, 43 total tackles, two forced fumbles and 12 quarterback hits across 14 games with nine starts. He also posted a career-high 43 total pressures, and his run-defense grade at Pro Football Focus ranked 15th among 64 qualifying edge defenders — a reminder that his value is not confined to rushing the passer. He signed with the Jets in free agency on a reported three-year deal.
Career Statistics
| Period | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2020 | Texas | 36 games, 165 tackles, 30.5 TFL, 10 sacks; led the Big 12 with 16 TFL as a junior |
| 2021–2025 | Cincinnati Bengals | Drafted Rd 3, No. 69; 116 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 4 FF, 2 FR, 1 defensive TD through 2025 |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Bengals | 14 games, 9 starts: 5 sacks, 43 tackles, 2 FF, 12 QB hits, career-high 43 pressures |
| 2026 | New York Jets | Signed in free agency in March |
Current Status
Ossai made the initial 53-man roster. He was removed from the physically-unable-to-perform list on 11 August 2026, made his preseason debut against the Giants and left that game with a foot injury — but he does not appear anywhere in the club’s 30 August transaction list, which means he was neither cut nor placed on a reserve list.
That is a notable outcome. He was the only one of the six players injured that night to survive the cut, which suggests the staff regarded the foot problem as minor. Context is in our injury and roster-impact report.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joseph Ossai?
Joseph Ossai is an edge rusher for the New York Jets. Cincinnati drafted him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Texas, and he signed with the Jets in free agency in March 2026.
Did Joseph Ossai make the Jets’ 53-man roster?
Yes. Despite leaving the preseason finale against the Giants with a foot injury, he does not appear in the club’s 30 August transaction list, meaning he made the initial active roster.
How many sacks does Joseph Ossai have?
He had 14.5 career sacks through the 2025 season, including five in 2025 across 14 games with nine starts for Cincinnati.