Braelon Allen has spent the summer doing exactly what teams hope a young back will do: stack good days, turn heads, and force his way into the conversation. The New York Jets rookie has gone from a player working back from a knee injury to someone who looks ready to matter right away in Week 1.
The 22-year-old, a 2024 fourth-round pick, has been one of the biggest winners of the Jets’ offseason program and training camp. His rise got a major boost when he broke loose for a 31-yard rushing touchdown against the Buccaneers last month, a run that helped put him firmly on the radar. Coach Aaron Glenn has been praising him for months, and teammates have responded to the Wisconsin product’s work ethic and determination to stay in the plan.
Allen’s path to a role has also been helped by the bumps in front of him. Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis both dealt with groin and foot injuries during August practices, though neither ended up on injured reserve. Both were full participants in Wednesday’s practice, and the expectation is that they’ll be available Sunday afternoon against the Titans.
Even with Hall and Davis trending toward playing, Allen still looks like a name to watch in the Jets’ offensive mix. Glenn and Frank Reich have every reason to keep him involved, especially after Allen took advantage of the chances that came his way over the last few months. Glenn has already said he wanted to use Allen as a receiving back, and the team appears eager to see what he can do when the games count.
The Jets even brought in former Browns back Jerome Ford for a workout recently, though he was still unsigned as of Friday morning.
If Hall or Davis were to sit out, New York could lean on special teams contributor Kene Nwangwu for extra work, with undrafted rookie Al-Jay Henderson also available on the practice squad. But the clearest takeaway right now is that Allen has earned more than a preseason pat on the back. He looks like part of the Week 1 plan.
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Bailey later said in an interview that he was unsure where he stood with New York, even as his agent told him the cancellation was not a sign of fading interest. The uncertainty ended in the biggest possible way for the Jets, who still made Bailey the No. 2 overall pick and made clear that a missed meeting was never the full story. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Enter Week 1 With Depth Concerns Aaron Glenn Couldn't Ease
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For a team trying to settle into a rhythm early, those absences matter because they trim the margin for error on both sides of the ball and in the return game. Glenn offered updates on where each player stands and sounded encouraged about Ossais recovery timetable, but the Jets still have to get through Sunday with some uncertainty attached to spots they were hoping would be settled by now. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Head Into Week 1 With Key Roles Suddenly In Doubt
The Jets are already dealing with a little September uncertainty before the opener even arrives, as Aaron Glenn ruled out edge rusher Joseph Ossai and wide receiver Tim Patrick for Week 1. Ossai was hurt in the preseason finale with a foot injury, leaving a spot on the edge suddenly unavailable, while Patricks absence trims another option from a receiver room that needs to settle in quickly once the games count.
There is more nervousness on the depth chart, too, with cornerback DAngelo Ponds and returner Kene Nwangwu both listed as doubtful because of injuries. Ponds is working through a calf strain, and Nwangwus availability is complicated by hamstring problems, which adds another layer of uncertainty to the Jets' special teams plans and secondary rotation heading into opening week. [Read more 🡒]