The New York Jets will have to play at least the next four games without starting defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat after placing him on the IR. While it's not ideal news for the franchise, the update does come with a silver lining.

Reports indicate that the Jets expect the 25-year-old to eventually return from the IR, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. It is currently unknown exactly how long Sweat will be out for, but the organization will seemingly keep close tabs on him for the next several weeks.

“Jets are placing DT T'Vondre Sweat on Injured Reserve,” Fowler reported. “Expected to return this season with the hope that it's sooner than later.”

The earliest the third-year veteran can return is Week 12, when the Jets take on the Miami Dolphins on the road on November 29. If Sweat is unable to return by that contest, then he wouldn't be able to get back in action until after the Week 13 bye.

Either way, losing the former second-round pick is a big blow to the Jets' interior defensive line. When he's on the field, the defense allows, on average, 3.54 yards per attempt. When he isn't on the field, the defense allows, on average, 4.87 yards per attempt. Statistically speaking, opponents should have an easier time running the ball on the defense for the next several weeks.

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With Sweat out, the Jets are likely to rely on fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. to step in as the starting nose tackle in Aaron Glenn's 3-4 defense. The front office may elect to find defensive line depth either from the practice squad or free agency, but that is yet to be determined.

T'Vondre Sweat heads to the IR after playing seven games for the Jets this season. In those contests, he's accumulated 17 combined tackles (five solo) and two tackles for a loss.