Jets to activate DE Vinny Curry off IR after missed season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Former Super Bowl champion Vinny Curry, who missed the 2021 season due to complications in the aftermath of a splenectomy, was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

He will make his New York Jets debut against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, a source told ESPN.

Curry, 34, who last played in 2020 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, battled back from a potentially life-threatening health situation. The defensive end has a rare blood disorder that resulted in an enlarged spleen, which was discovered by Jets doctors in June 2021 -- three months after signing a one-year contract with the team.

Even after his spleen was removed, Curry intended to play last season, but he developed a blood clot during training, forcing him to season-ending injured reserve. He vowed to return, saying his goal was to be back in 2022.

He re-signed with the Jets but suffered a hamstring injury this summer and again landed on IR. He was cleared for practice last week and is ready to contribute on their deep defensive line, which usually has a nine-man rotation.

Curry has played most of his career with the Eagles and was a starter on their 2017 Super Bowl-winning team. In nine seasons -- eight with the Eagles, one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- he has appeared in 123 games and has 32.5 sacks.

To make room on the active roster, the Jets released tight end Lawrence Cager while elevating offensive tackle Mike Remmers and tight end Kenny Yeboah from the practice squad.