Josh Tupou Bio
Joshua Enelangi Tupou is an American professional football nose tackle who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 350 pounds, Tupou has built a career as a run-stopping interior defensive lineman since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Over the course of his professional journey, he has spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and now the New York Giants, earning a reputation for his physicality in the trenches.
Born on May 2, 1994, in Long Beach, California, Tupou developed his football skills in Southern California before taking his talents to the University of Colorado. After a multi-year college career with the Colorado Buffaloes, he transitioned to the professional level and has remained an active contributor on NFL rosters and practice squads for nearly a decade.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Enelangi Tupou was born on May 2, 1994, in Long Beach, California. He grew up in the Southern California region and is of Tongan descent, a heritage that connects him to a deep Polynesian tradition of football participation at all levels of the game. His size and athletic ability became apparent during his youth, eventually drawing the attention of college recruiters.
Tupou attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, where he played high school football and began to develop into a prominent interior lineman. His performance at the prep level helped him earn an opportunity to play college football at a Division I program, setting the stage for his future in the sport.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career, Tupou enrolled at the University of Colorado, where he played for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2012 through 2016. During his time in Boulder, he developed into a reliable nose tackle, learning the techniques and conditioning required to compete at the highest levels of the sport. The Colorado program provided him with a strong foundation in both the physical and mental aspects of defensive line play.
Following his college career, Tupou declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. He went unselected in the draft process, but his combination of size, strength, and experience at Colorado quickly drew interest from teams in need of interior defensive line depth. This set the stage for his professional opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Josh Tupou Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
Tupou signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. His first year in the league was a turbulent one, as he was waived on September 2, 2017, and signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 11, 2017, waived again on November 21, and brought back to the practice squad the following day before being promoted once more on December 6, 2017.
His second season with the Bengals was interrupted by injury. On November 22, 2018, Tupou was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in practice. He spent time recovering and working back into football shape, eventually returning to the active roster in subsequent seasons and solidifying his place within the team’s defensive rotation.
Cincinnati Bengals (2017-2023)
Tupou re-signed with the Bengals on May 1, 2020, but later announced on August 3, 2020, that he would opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After sitting out the year, he continued his career with Cincinnati, re-signing with the team on March 17, 2022, to remain part of the defensive line group.
During the 2022 season, Tupou recorded his first career sack against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4. The play resulted in a concussion for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that forced him to leave the game. Through the 2024 season, Tupou’s career NFL statistics included 89 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble, reflecting his role as a rotational defender and contributor on special teams.
Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts Era (2024-2025)
On May 28, 2024, Tupou signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He was released on August 27 but re-signed to the practice squad on October 28, providing veteran depth for the team’s defensive front. His experience and physicality made him a valuable practice squad asset during the 2024 campaign.
On July 28, 2025, Tupou signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, before being released again on September 1. Shortly afterward, on September 24, 2025, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, was released on October 7, and re-signed one week later, continuing his journeyman role across the league.
New York Giants Era (2026-Present)
On May 27, 2026, Tupou signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants. The move reunited him with head coach John Harbaugh after spending the previous season with him on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. Wearing jersey number 94, Tupou joined the Giants as an active member of their defensive line rotation, bringing nearly a decade of NFL experience to the roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a nose tackle, Tupou is valued for his ability to anchor against the run, occupy multiple blockers, and free up teammates to make plays. His large frame and low leverage make him effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations, while his experience across multiple defensive schemes has allowed him to adapt to different coaching staffs and team philosophies throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Tupou’s career came in Week 4 of the 2022 season, when he recorded his first career sack against the Miami Dolphins, a play that forced quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of the game with a concussion. Reaching his first NFL start, surviving multiple roster moves between the active roster and practice squad, and signing a one-year contract with the New York Giants in 2026 all stand as milestones in a long and resilient professional journey.
Josh Tupou Career Wins
Joshua Enelangi Tupou’s professional record is measured more by defensive contributions, roster durability, and team success than by individual win totals at the position of nose tackle. Across his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and New York Giants, he has been part of defensive line units tasked with stopping opposing rushing attacks and protecting against the run game in critical situations.
Team and Series Highlights
Tupou spent the longest stretch of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2017 through 2023, contributing to a defensive front that helped the team return to prominence. His most notable individual highlight came during the 2022 season with his first career sack, a play that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of his professional journey.
In 2026, Tupou joined the New York Giants on a one-year contract, marking his return to an active roster after a stretch of practice squad assignments. His signing reunited him with head coach John Harbaugh and added veteran experience to the Giants’ defensive line room.
Josh Tupou Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Enelangi Tupou was born in Long Beach, California, and is of Tongan descent, reflecting the strong Polynesian heritage that has become increasingly prominent across the National Football League. While specific details about his parents are not publicly documented, his cultural background and family upbringing in Southern California helped shape his path into football at a young age.
Personal Life
Beyond his career on the field, Tupou has largely kept his personal life private. Publicly available information about his relationships, marital status, and family outside of his football career is limited, and he is known primarily for his commitment to the sport and his perseverance through multiple roster changes throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a transitional year for Tupou, as he moved between several organizations. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 28, 2025, was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day before being released again on September 1. The brief stint with the Colts reflected the constant movement that has defined much of his professional career.
On September 24, 2025, Tupou signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, was released on October 7, and re-signed one week later. His time on the practice squad in Baltimore allowed him to remain ready for an opportunity while contributing to the team’s preparation throughout the season.
Heading into 2025, Tupou continued to demonstrate the durability and professionalism that have kept him in the league since 2017. With more than 89 career tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble to his name, his experience and physicality positioned him as a reliable depth piece for teams in need of interior defensive line support.