All eyes turn to Braelon Allen in the wake of Breece Hall's injury

With Breece Hall nursing a groin injury he suffered during a training camp practice this week, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen steps in as the de facto RB1 of the offense, and he should get an opportunity to play with the starters on Friday night.

Throughout Allen's two-year NFL career, he has only started two games, and if Hall's injury lingers into the season, he may get a few more under his belt.

That's the worst-case scenario... but for now, Allen is at least going to get the starting nod when the Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night at Acrisure Stadium. Outside of practice this week, it will be the first time this year Allen gets first-team reps.

In the few weeks before Hall makes his eventual return, Allen can prove that he deserves a sizable role in the Jets offense, and his case begins with the upcoming preseason start.

Braelon Allen receives support from New York Jets teammate

After Aaron Glenn pulled his Jets starters last Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Allen came in with the second stringers and saw his first on-field action since he suffered the MCL injury that knocked him out for virtually the entire 2025 season.

He made the most of that opportunity, carrying the ball four times for 44 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown scamper that was New York's only score of the night. Jets' left tackle Olu Fashanu spoke about how much Allen's touchdown meant to him, especially coming off his injury.

"I was so happy for him. Braelon's been through a lot this past year, and you see him break off like that, I know it meant the world to him."

Hopefully, Allen can continue his production in the Jets' second preseason game and prove he's more than capable of holding down the starting running back spot while Hall recovers.

Should the New York Jets add another running back?

While Allen can surely take reps with the starters, the Jets are fairly thin at the position, especially with Isaiah Davis nursing his own knee injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the preseason.

Kene Nwangwu and undrafted free agent running backs Chip Trayanum and Sam Scott should see plenty of touches deep into the second half of the Steelers game, but maybe the Jets should consider adding another veteran who can eat some carries to not put too much stress on Allen and Nwangwu.

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