BLESS AUSTIN NEWS

Jets waive K Ficken, activate RG Van Roten from IR

The New York Jets waived kicker Sam Ficken and activated right guard Greg Van Roten from injured reserve in a series of roster moves ahead of the season finale at New England

JANUARY 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets' playmaking D-Line a big-time building block for future

The big boys up front on the New York Jets’ defensive line have been a jumbo-sized bright spot this season

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with illness Austin is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots with a non-COVID-19 illness, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Impact The 2019 sixth round pick has stepped into a starting role for the Jets this season, but his availability for the season finale is in question. Lamar Jackson could have an increased role Sunday if Austin is sidelined.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Darnold decision a dilemma as Jets enter crucial offseason

Sam Darnold will head into this offseason as a question mark instead of the unquestioned face of the franchise

DECEMBER 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seven tackles in return Austin finished with seven tackles in Sunday's 40-3 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact Austin returned after a three-week stint on IR due to a neck injury and picked up where he left off, bringing his tackle total to 25 over his last three appearances. The physical cornerback's high tackle totals are due in part to receivers frequently catching the ball in front of him as he attempts to prevent deep shots. That bend but don't break approach hasn't exactly been working for him or the rest of New York's defense, but Austin's starting spot isn't in jeopardy at the moment given the team's lack of enticing cornerback alternatives.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

CB Austin, TE Wesco activated from IR as Jets make 9 moves

Cornerback Bless Austin and tight end Trevon Wesco were activated from the injured reserve list as the winless New York Jets made nine roster moves ahead of their game at Seattle o...

DECEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Will start against Seahawks Austin (neck) will make his return after a three-game absence and start Sunday's game against Seattle, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Austin was designated to return from IR earlier this week, and he looked healthy enough in practice to be activated in his first opportunity to return to game action. Rookie Lamar Jackson -- who was burned for the winning touchdown in the final seconds of last week's loss to the Raiders -- will return to a bench role, while Bryce Hall will hang onto his starting spot opposite Austin.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gase, Jets regroup after tough few days getting over loss

The 24-hour rule dragged on a little longer than usual for Adam Gase and the New York Jets

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Designated for return Austin (neck) was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Impact This move will allow Austin to return to practice and opens the three-week window for the Jets to put him back onto the active roster. The 2019 sixth-round pick had climbed to the top of an admittedly underwhelming cornerback depth chart prior to sustaining his injury.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to injured reserve Austin (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact The 24-year-old was considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, but he'll instead be sidelined for at least the next three games. Austin's MRI this week showed encouraging results, so there's a chance he only misses the three-game minimum.

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jets place CB Austin on IR, activate OLB Luvu from IR

The New York Jets placed cornerback Bless Austin on injured reserve

NOVEMBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Questionable for Week 11 Austin (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Chargers.

Impact The Jets cut Pierre Desir earlier this week and placed Brian Poole (shoulder) on season-ending IR, so Austin is their last remaining starting cornerback. He's in danger of sitting out Sunday as well, although an MRI showed encouraging results Thursday. If Austin's able to play, he'll operate as the team's undisputed No. 1 corner, and the final verdict on his status will be revealed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Darnold has 'good shot' at returning as Jets QB next week

Sam Darnold might be back leading the New York Jets’ huddle as soon as next week

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good news from MRI results Austin (neck) appears to have avoided a serious injury and is considered day-to-day, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Austin had an MRI on Thursday, but the results appear to have been encouraging. Based on his 'day-to-day' designation, it sounds like the starting cornerback could even have a chance at suiting up against the Chargers on Sunday, depending on how he looks at practice Friday.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Set for MRI on neck Austin (neck) will not practice Thursday and is set to receive an MRI to determine the severity of his injury, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Impact Austin has played an every-down role for the Jets while healthy this season, so it will be a notable blow for the team's secondary if he's forced to miss time. Bryce Hall, a rookie fifth-round pick, is already expected to slot into New York's opposite starting cornerback spot.

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jets CB Poole having shoulder surgery, out for season

The New York Jets’ suddenly thin and inexperienced secondary took another big hit

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets claim former Giants CB Corey Ballentine off waivers

The New York Jets claimed cornerback Corey Ballentine off waivers from the Giants

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leading tackler in narrow loss Austin recorded a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo) and a pass defensed in Monday's 30-27 loss to New England.

Impact Austin's physicality is what makes him an effective cornerback, but it also got him in trouble, as he was flagged for defensive holding on 3rd-and-10 to extend a drive that eventually resulted in New England's game-tying touchdown. The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Rutgers is locked into a starting spot in New York's underwhelming cornerback corps, and he's handling himself well in that role.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots storm back to beat Jets 30-27, end 4-game skid

Nick Folk kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired, and Cam Newton and the New England Patriots rallied to beat the winless New York Jets 30-27 to end a four-game losing streak

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to go Austin (calf) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Impact Austin came into the game logging LP/LP/NP throughout the week, so this news is a bit surprising. It's good news for the team that Austin will be able to play, as he's in line for his usual starting role at cornerback. In four games this season, Austin has racked up 19 tackles (16 solo) and one forced fumble.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed questionable for Sunday Austin (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.

Impact Austin is trending in the wrong direction, as he practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday before missing practice Friday. The Jets' secondary is among the worst in the league, and it could struggle even more if Austin can't go, as Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of the last four games. Lamar Jackson, a cornerback, will likely start if Austin's ultimately ruled out.

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jets rookie Perine likely to have bigger role with Bell gone

La’Mical Perine was drafted in April to be the New York Jets’ running back of the future

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hampered by calf problem Austin (calf) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Austin logged a pair of limited practices last week with the calf issue and failed to suit up in Week 5, so the hope is that this week he doesn't face a similar fate. The second-year pro suffered the injury in Week 4 against the Broncos, and if he's forced to miss more time, duties would continue to shift to Pierre Desir, Lamar Jackson and Brian Poole.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jets' Flacco to start again for injured Darnold vs. Dolphins

Joe Flacco will get his second straight start at quarterback for the New York Jets in place of the injured Sam Darnold

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

49ers RB Mostert returns to action; Samuel also active

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert is returning to action Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after missing two games with a knee injury

OCTOBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS