Jets Sign FB Nick Bawden to Practice Squad

The Jets have been active today, as they have announced the signing of FB Nick Bawden to the practice squad. At the same time they announced that defensive end Ronnie Blair was heading to the practice squad injured list.

Bawden has been with the Detroit Lions since being drafted #237th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Nick has experienced his fair share of injuries having landed on IR in each of his three seasons in the pros.

In 2018 he suffered an ACL tear during OTA’s and was ruled out for the entire season. In 2019 he was placed on IR due to a knee injury after appearing in 10 games. In 2020 he again found himself on IR due to a knee injury, before the Lions lost patience and waived him in June of this year.

The Jets have experienced poor FB play so far this year with converted TE Trevon Wesco and Bawden came into the league with a good reputation as a run blocker. He blocked for two 2000+ yard rushers in Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny while a member of the San Diego State Aztecs, so the pedigree is there.

The big question for Nick Bawden is can he stay healthy. It’s a low-risk move by Joe Douglas, and maybe one designed to light a fire under Trevon Wesco who saw his playing time cut drastically from week one to week two.