The Jets have signed DE Paschal Ekeji to the practice squad. The club also placed G Leander Wiegand on the P-squad injured reserve.
Ekeji (6-4, 230), who holds citizenship in three nations, is a former rugby star who was one of 13 players from 12 countries selected as part the NFL IPP Program class. In the summer of 2022, he was one of 49 participants hailing from five countries – Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – in the first NFL Africa Camp. Born in the Southern African country of Lesotho, Ekeji played rugby for Grey College in Bloemfontein and later attended Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape province of South Africa. He most recently played with the Sharks, a South African professional rugby team.
After initially signing with the Jets in May, Wiegand (6-5, 291) was added to the practice squad in August. He played one season at Central Florida before returning to Germany in 2022 where he lined up for the Cologne Centurions. Wiegand then played offensive line for the Rhein Fire, earning first-team All-European League Football (ELF) honors on a championship team. At his pro day, Wiegand, who owns a wingspan of 80 inches, showcased his strength with 38 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
