The New York Jets face the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium in Week 13 carrying a 2-9 record. Recent organizational changes have set the stage for the upcoming contest, and Thursday brought two more roster adjustments to New York’s lineup.
The moves came as the team continues recalibrating its roster heading into the matchup against the 4-7 Falcons.
The Jets signed defensive end Paschal Ekeji to their practice squad while placing guard Leander Wiegand on practice-squad injured reserve, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
#Jets signed Paschal Ekeji to the practice squad and placed Leander Wiegand on practice squad injured reserve.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 27, 2025
Ekeji brings an uncommon background to the defensive end position. Standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 230 pounds, the former rugby player holds citizenship in three countries.
He was selected as one of 13 athletes from 12 nations for the NFL International Player Pathway Program class and participated in the inaugural NFL Africa Camp in 2022, where 49 players from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo competed.
Born in Lesotho, Ekeji developed his athletic skills playing rugby at Grey College in Bloemfontein before attending Stellenbosch University in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Most recently, he played for the Sharks, a professional rugby franchise based in South Africa.
Wiegand measured 6-foot-5 and 291 pounds when joining the Jets in May. He spent one season at Central Florida before moving overseas to the Cologne Centurions in 2022. His subsequent stint with the Rhein Fire resulted in first-team All-European League Football honors on the offensive line as part of a championship team.
His pro day evaluation showed 38 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds alongside an 80-inch wingspan.
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