Nick

Bawden

Bawden’s nine regular season appearances last year were his first since 2019. He mostly featured on special teams, though he did make it onto the field for 50-plus offensive snaps. Perhaps he caught the eye of coach Robert Saleh. Still only 26 (in June), Bawden could crack the 53-man roster.

Bawden was unable to return after exiting with a knee injury against Dallas. Isaac Nauta currently resides on Detroit’s practice squad but is fully expected to replace Bawden as the team’s starting fullback on Sunday. Austin Bryant was activated in a corresponding move.

Bawden was first questionable to return, but the FB would later be downgraded to out. The Lions’ three remaining RBs are Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic.

He’ll be placed on season-ending IR. A seventh-round pick, Bawden was the only fullback on Detroit’s roster before Nick Bellore switched from linebacker to fullback this week. This injury helps explain the move.

Bawden (6’2/245) operated as Rashaad Penny’s lead blocker for the Aztecs, entering school as a quarterback before converting to fullback for his final three seasons and posting 30 career receptions. Bawden earned PFF College’s No. 1 fullback blocking grade in the nation in 2016, then graded No. 3 in 2017 despite playing with a club on his hand. He also showed pre-draft smarts with a 31 Wonderlic score. Although fullbacks are a dying breed, Bawden is a good enough blocker and possession receiver to have a shot at an Anthony Sherman-like career.