Josh Sweat Returns to Cardinals: 3 Things It Really Means

ARIZONA — Arizona Cardinals practices are about to get a lot more sweaty.

The Cardinals activated outside linebacker Josh Sweat from the Physically Unable to Perform list today in a swarm of moves that also featured the release of running back Trey Benson.

Sweat, for the first time in all of 2026, hit the practice field shortly after the news was announced.

Josh Sweat. In the flesh. pic.twitter.com/4p0kshYcDc
— Donnie Druin (@DonnieDruin) August 24, 2026

Cardinals Finally Green Light Their Top Pass Rusher

Sweat didn't participate in any previous activities such as OTAs, minicamp or training camp at State Farm Stadium. As a result of his absence, the Cardinals' room of outside linebackers was lacking their clear and obvious leader.

Names such as Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch and BJ Ojulari couldn't collectively impact the passer in camp or preseason play thus far. Sweat, who paced the Cardinals with 12 sacks last season, now arrives back to the desert to build off a strong first outing.

If the Cardinals' defense will be anything this season, Sweat's presence wasn't optional — it was mandatory. Now, he's back in the mix, and Arizona's defense can move forward.

Injury Concerns Ultimately Were Real

Sweat was spotted wearing a brace on his left leg in the practice video, which is something he's known to do — so that wasn't surprising given his history. There's been reports he has a degenerative knee issue and the Cardinals have been taking their time and protecting Sweat by placing him on the PUP list at the beginning of camp.

Arizona has consistently insisted Sweat would be ready ahead of the regular season, and now that's turned out to be true ahead of their final preseason game. Sweat now has three weeks to ramp up ahead of their regular season opener.

So long as Sweat can produce, all of the mystery and headlines around the Cardinals this summer will have been worth it. However, the organization clearly has been managing his knee injury and preserving him until the time was right.

That time is now.

Josh Sweat's Absence Wasn't About a Trade — But That Could Change

Sweat reportedly requested a trade earlier in the offseason after the Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon, and teams reportedly were inquiring on Sweat's availability earlier in the summer. Arizona, who didn't add any outside talent to their pass rush room, were wise to say no.

At least for now.

While the Cardinals weren't looking to offload Sweat now, that line of thinking could very well change later in the regular season if Arizona is far behind in the standings and Sweat's had enough.

Truth be told, it didn't make sense for the Cardinals to trade their only edge rusher. However, the dynamic could shift if they're clearly not going to compete this season and Sweat wants a fresh start elsewhere.

Arizona, who would be looking towards 2027 by the trade deadline, could likely get Day 2 compensation from a needy team looking to polish their Super Bowl push.

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