Josh Sweat is finally back on the practice field for the Arizona Cardinals, stepping onto the grass in Tempe on Monday for the first time since last season. Yeah, you read that right: *last season*. The dude who led the Cardinals with a massive 12 sacks in 2025 just got activated from the PUP list, where he’s been chilling since training camp started. Talk about a long wait.
“Maintenance” My Foot: The Real Story Behind Sweat’s Absence
Cardinals fans should be hyped for their sack leader’s return, especially since the rest of their outside linebackers combined for a measly 5.5 sacks last season. That’s a huge difference! But here’s where it gets wild: Coach Mike LaFleur kept calling Sweat’s absence a “knee issue” that needed “maintenance.” Maintenance? For a month-long shutdown? Sweat skipped the voluntary offseason program, didn’t show for mandatory minicamp, and then spent the entire start of training camp on the PUP list. If you’re on PUP, that injury *has* to be football-related, either from last season or popping up right at the start of camp. So, this “minor maintenance” line feels super sus given the timeline. A month to clear up “maintenance” on a knee for your top pass rusher? C’mon.
Balky Knee or Bolting Player? The Cardinals’ Dilemma
So what’s actually going on with Sweat? The article lays out two pretty wild scenarios, and neither of them is good news for Arizona. First, maybe his knee really *is* balky. Like, it’s an aging player with a persistent knee issue that needs constant managing. That’s a problem for a guy whose game is all about explosiveness off the edge. Or, option two, and this is the spicier one: maybe Sweat’s just plain unhappy. Rumors have been swirling that he’s disgruntled, and this whole extended absence, missing OTAs, minicamp, and training camp? Could be the coaching staff just letting him do his own thing to make sure he shows up when the regular season actually kicks off. Either way, the Cardinals are walking a tightrope with their most important defensive player.
What’s next? With the regular season right around the corner, Arizona absolutely needs Sweat making plays. But is he truly healthy and committed, or are they dealing with a ticking time bomb? This isn’t just about getting 12 sacks back; it’s about the entire vibe of their defense. We’re about to find out if this “maintenance” job really worked, or if they’ve just kicked the can down the road.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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