Cardinals Say Josh Sweat Could Practice This Week

ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals' preseason is nearly over, though outside linebacker Josh Sweat's prep for the 2026 season could just be beginning.

Sweat hasn't practiced at all for the Cardinals in 2026. Not in voluntary team activities, mandatory minicamp or training camp. Sweat was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list at the beginning of camp and has not played in any of Arizona's three preseason games.

We're roughly three weeks away from Arizona's season opener in Los Angeles. There's hope Sweat will have plenty of practices under his belt — and when speaking with reporters after last night's preseason battle against Dallas, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was asked if Sweat could potentially return this week.

“This coming week? Yeah. Josh is doing good," LaFleur said.

“We want all these guys, whether they're injured, they got injured a week ago or obviously in Sweat's case just getting them out there for that first time. We want all those guys back.

"Like I always say with the guys that are edge rushers, they rush the quarterback. It's a little different than the rhythm and timing of a quarterback and (wide) receiver—I’m just being real about it. It's one thing with rhythm, timing and working in combination with an offensive line. It's another thing when you know you are in that stance on third down and you're finding your point.

"(There is) no doubt in my mind (that if) you want to get better at football, you have to be out there in football. There is a little difference in my opinion. Not everyone would agree with me on that.”

The Cardinals have one more preseason game this coming Friday against the Green Bay Packers, though Arizona will hold a joint practice beforehand with Green Bay and likely won't play their starters.

After this week, they'll have a week off before game week arrives for Week 1 against the Chargers.

Whether Sweat, who is protecting a knee injury, will be physically ready to handle a full workload during a game remains to be seen. The Cardinals insist he is working out on his own and in meetings, though it's plausible Sweat could be on a pitch count to begin the year. Arizona rotates their outside linebackers often anyways.

"Josh is making good progress. Josh is getting closer every day," Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said back on Aug. 10. "I think Josh is going to be out there in due time to get ready for the season opener, and we're excited to get him out there and get him going."

The Cardinals have one day of practice on Monday before traveling to Green Bay on Tuesday.