Former Ohio State star provides his own update after suffering scary knee injury in his first NFL preseason game
Ohio State fans had the chance to watch former stalwart pass-rusher JT Tuimoloau in action on Thursday night, and the Indianapolis Colts’ second-round pick didn’t disappoint. He was able to flash the necessary power, awareness, and some speed in his time on the field. That was until he crumpled onto the ground in the fourth […]
Ohio State fans had the chance to watch former stalwart pass-rusher JT Tuimoloau in action on Thursday night, and the Indianapolis Colts’ second-round pick didn’t disappoint. He was able to flash the necessary power, awareness, and some speed in his time on the field. That was until he crumpled onto the ground in the fourth quarter.
Tuimoloau suffered a knee injury and left the game. He racked up two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, and one pass deflection, demonstrating his disruptive presence on the field. Post-game, Tuimoloau spoke with reporters to provide an update on his condition.
“I feel good,” Tuimoloau said, via the Indy Star. “I’m a little banged up but I’m just playing it safe and getting my body ready for the next game.”
While Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu anchor the defensive end position, Tuimoloau appears poised to be a key contributor in the rotation.
At Ohio State, Tuimoloau displayed a versatile and dynamic skill set, excelling against both the run and pass. His ability to line up across multiple gaps made him a valuable asset, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
During his tenure at Ohio State, Tuimoloau established himself as one of the premier defensive ends in college football. A five-star recruit from Washington, he played three seasons (2021-2023) for the Buckeyes, earning All-Big Ten honors twice and second-team All-American recognition in 2023.
Tuimoloau’s blend of power, speed, and versatility allowed him to dominate in multiple roles along the defensive line. His career stats include 94 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 pass deflections across 37 games, per Ohio State records.
Notably, in 2022, he had a standout performance against Penn State, recording 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble in a single game, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Tuimoloau’s ability to disrupt both run and pass plays, combined with his high football IQ, made him a cornerstone of Ohio State’s defense and a top NFL Draft prospect.
