Allen Making Most of Shot as Gang’s No. 1 RB

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

Braelon Allen has stepped up as a leading rusher for the New York Jets during Breece Hall’s injury absence, gaining 194 yards and scoring a game-winning touchdown in the past two games. His strong performances highlight his potential to complement Hall and enhance the Jets' running game once the starter returns.

Braelon Allen has emerged as a key contributor for the New York Jets in the absence of starting running back Breece Hall, who is sidelined with a quad injury. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Allen has capitalized on extended playing time over the past two weeks, demonstrating the speed, power, and physicality the Jets envisioned when they selected him.

The 22-year-old running back, who played collegiately at Wisconsin, had shown flashes of potential in limited action prior to this recent stretch. As a rookie, Allen's best performance was a 55-yard effort on 11 carries. His development was interrupted last season due to a significant knee injury sustained on a kickoff return against Miami, which limited him to just four games. Heading into the 2026 season, Allen expressed a clear goal to prove himself capable of handling a larger workload.

Over the most recent two games, Allen has delivered a strong performance, rushing for 194 yards on 41 carries. His efforts included a game-winning 22-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns and a notable 16-yard reception versus the New England Patriots, where he displayed physical toughness by running over safety Kevin Byard. Allen emphasized the importance of physicality in football, aiming to be a challenging player to bring down.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn acknowledged Allen’s contributions but reiterated that Hall will remain the team's primary running back upon his return. Glenn indicated that Allen will continue to receive opportunities as part of the Jets’ backfield rotation. Allen, however, remains focused on earning respect and playing his role without concern for the long-term depth chart.

Quarterback Geno Smith praised Allen’s dynamic running style, noting his ability to create explosive plays both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. The Jets hope the pairing of Hall and Allen can develop into a complementary one-two punch reminiscent of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, a tandem Glenn coached during his tenure with the Detroit Lions. Hall’s agility and speed combined with Allen’s power running could provide a versatile and potent running game.

Allen expressed confidence in their potential partnership once Hall returns, emphasizing their mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities. For now, Allen is focused on building on his recent success and continuing to make the most of his opportunities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.