Braelon Allen has been named the starting running back for the New York Jets following Breece Hall's quadriceps injury, which will keep Hall out for the Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears. Hall, who sustained the injury during the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions, is currently considered week to week. This situation presents an opportunity for Allen to demonstrate his capabilities as a lead rusher. Allen expressed his desire to prove himself as a workhorse back during training camp, stating, "I’m an all-down back, I’m a three-down back, I’m more versatile than I get credit for."
Allen's previous season was cut short due to a sprained MCL, which required surgery and ended his rookie season prematurely. Reflecting on that experience, he noted, "It was my first major injury, first surgery and all that. Kind of my season being taken away while I was kind of just getting into my groove... it was tough. But it was definitely a learning experience. I’ve grown so much from it."
In his rookie season, Allen rushed for 334 yards and two touchdowns. With Hall on a three-year contract worth $45.75 million, Allen had been positioned as the backup. However, he now has the chance to establish his own identity on the field.
Allen is noted for his physical style of play, with Jets guard Joe Tippmann commenting on his strength and speed, stating, "He’s a strong, physical, downhill runner... you can’t one-arm tackle that guy. Nobody can." The Jets' running game has struggled this season, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, ranking 30th in the NFL. In their last two games, the Jets rushed for only 58 and 67 yards, respectively. Tippmann acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing the importance of returning to fundamental blocking techniques to create better running lanes. As the Jets prepare for their upcoming game, Allen's performance will be crucial to their offensive strategy.