Jets Dump Veteran Fullback, Making Room for Aaron Rodgers

Regular contributor becomes roster casualty as quarterback comes off Injured Reserve

The New York Jets switched out a veteran fullback to make room for a rehabbing quarterback.

The Jets activated future Hall-of-Fame field general Aaron Rodgers from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and released fullback Nick Bawden in a corresponding roster move. Rodgers becomes the fourth quarterback on the team's active 53-man roster although he won't see game action again until 2024.

"We're still gonna keep him on the active [roster]. We've got the roster flexibility with all the different things that happened over the last couple weeks and it's all part of his rehab. Just having him out on the football field is a plus for everybody. It's a plus for him. It's a plus for his teammates," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh.

Rodgers's 21-day activation window was due to close on Wednesday, meaning the team had to move him to the 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the remainder of the season. In the case of the latter option, the quarterback would not be permitted to practice with his teammates.

Bawden has appeared in all 14 games thus far this season for the Jets but finds himself as a casualty of roster gymnastics prior to the Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The fullback totaled 28 snaps (10 OFF, 18 ST) on December 17 while apparently banging up his knee against the Miami Dolphins.

"Bawden is dealing with a knee," said Saleh prior to Wednesday's walkthrough practice in Florham Park. 

As it turns out, the Jets released the injured veteran hours later.

Bawden carried the ball two times for four yards and one touchdown this fall. He caught both of his targets for 13 total yards through the air. His fourth-quarter one-yard touchdown plunge pulled the Jets to within 13-10 of the New England Patriots in an eventual Week 3 loss.

The 27-year-old Bawden initially joined the Jets in 2021, playing in nine games. He spent the 2022 campaign on Injured Reserve. The 2018 seventh-round draft pick, who kicked off his career with the Detroit Lions, has 33 regular season NFL appearances.

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