Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat was activated off the physically unable to perform list Monday and returned to the field for the first time since the end of last season.

Sweat, who was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp in July due to a knee injury, missed the team's voluntary offseason program. He attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not participate in practices. Two days after Saturday's preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Mike La Fleur confirmed Sweat's return to practice, reiterating his standard response: "Josh is doing good."

La Fleur noted that edge rushers face unique challenges when returning after a long absence. "Like I always say with the guys that are edge rushers, they rush the quarterback," La Fleur said. "It's a little different than the rhythm and timing of a quarterback."

Sweat is coming off the best season of his career, finishing with a career-high 12 sacks in 2025, though he was named a Pro Bowl alternate instead of a starter. Tight end Trey McBride said it was "cool" to see Sweat back on the field, adding, "It's been a while since we've seen him out in his uniform."

The Cardinals also waived running back Trey Benson on Monday after he tore his meniscus in his left knee in Week 4 last season and experienced continued discomfort in early August.