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The New York Jets face the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium in Week 13 carrying a 2-9 report. Current organizational adjustments have set the stage for the upcoming contest, and Thursday introduced two extra roster changes to New York’s lineup.
The strikes got here because the group continues recalibrating its roster heading into the matchup in opposition to the 4-7 Falcons.
The Jets signed defensive finish Paschal Ekeji to their apply squad whereas inserting guard Leander Wiegand on practice-squad injured reserve, in response to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
#Jets signed Paschal Ekeji to the apply squad and positioned Leander Wiegand on apply squad injured reserve.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 27, 2025
Ekeji brings an unusual background to the defensive finish place. Standing 6 ft 4 inches and weighing 230 kilos, the previous rugby participant holds citizenship in three international locations.
He was chosen as considered one of 13 athletes from 12 nations for the NFL Worldwide Participant Pathway Program class and took part within the inaugural NFL Africa Camp in 2022, the place 49 gamers from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo competed.
Born in Lesotho, Ekeji developed his athletic expertise taking part in rugby at Gray School in Bloemfontein earlier than attending Stellenbosch College in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Most not too long ago, he performed for the Sharks, an expert rugby franchise based mostly in South Africa.
Wiegand measured 6-foot-5 and 291 kilos when becoming a member of the Jets in Could. He spent one season at Central Florida earlier than transferring abroad to the Cologne Centurions in 2022. His subsequent stint with the Rhein Hearth resulted in first-team All-European League Soccer honors on the offensive line as a part of a championship group.
His professional day analysis confirmed 38 bench press repetitions at 225 kilos alongside an 80-inch wingspan.
NEXT: Jets Rookie Is Quietly Rising Amongst NFL’s Most Dependable Tackles
