The NY jets announced the signing of a new offensive lineman today because they had to place Ben Ijalana on IR.
We have signed OL Gino Gradkowski and placed OL Ben Ijalana on IR.
📰 https://t.co/a1W0lpok1n pic.twitter.com/2rkIZT1xQy
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 15, 2018
#Jets placed swing tackle Ben Ijalana on IR after he hurt his shoulder this week during joint practices with Washington.
Brent Qvale, who struggled in preseason opener (especially on outside zone run plays), is the top backup tackle now.
O-line could be big issue for NYJ
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) August 15, 2018
Ijalana hurt his shoulder this week in one of the joint practices with the Redskins. That is what landed him on IR. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 15, 2018
Ijalana, a 6’4”, 322-pounder in his eighth season out of Villanova, was injured during a Jets-Redskins practice session in Richmond, VA. The veteran swing tackle has appeared in 34 career games and made 13 starts. He made all 13 starts for the Green & White in the 2016 campaign before returning to a depth role in 2017.
Gradkowski spent the last two seasons with the Panthers, but both were cut short because of injuries. Originally a fourth-round pick out of Delaware by the Ravens in 2012, Gradkowski spent three seasons in Baltimore before splitting time with the Broncos and Falcons in 2015. The 6’3”, 300-pounder is the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
