Longhorns Country

Former Longhorns DE Joseph Ossai Likely Out For Rookie Season

Former Longhorn and Bengals rookie Joseph Ossai had an unfortunate set back to the start of his NFL Career

Matt Galatzan

Former Texas Longhorn and current Cincinnati Bengals rookie edge rusher Joseph Ossai had a memorable preseason opener against Tampa Bay, finishing the game with five pressures, two hits, and a sack on future hall of fame quarterback, Tom Brady. 

It was a performance that not only got recognition from Bengals fans but across the entire NFL landscape.

Unfortunately, Ossai's that night also came with a major setback for the 21-year-old, as he reportedly suffered a torn meniscus. Ossai also suffered a minor wrist injury in the game as well. 

As a result of the knee injury, however, Ossai is now scheduled to undergo surgery this week, effectively ending his rookie season before it began. 

It's an unfortunate blow, not just for Ossai, but for the Bengals as well, who were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season in terms of pressuring the quarterback. 

Ossai had emerged through camp and the first preseason game as a major help in that area, turning heads from the minute he stepped on the practice field. 

"He's relentless," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after drafting the former Longhorn. "He really brings a nice physical presence, has great burst off the edge. I really like what he brings to the table."

With Ossai now sidelined, the Bengals have reportedly signed veteran defensive end Noah Spence as a replacement.

Spence has not taken the field in an NFL game since 2019 with the Washington Football Team. 

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.

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