Jets HC Aaron Glenn provides unfortunate update on Braelon Allen injury

New York Jets fans who were hoping to see second-year running back Braelon Allen return to the field this season aren't going to like head coach Aaron Glenn's latest update on his young tailback.

Glenn spoke to reporters on Friday and revealed that Allen is "most likely" out for the rest of the 2025 season. The Wisconsin product has been sidelined since suffering an MCL sprain on a kickoff return in Week 4, an injury the Jets initially hoped he might recover from in time to contribute down the stretch.

Instead, nearly two months later, it’s become clear that a return isn’t realistic. The frustration around Allen’s absence continues to stem from how preventable it was, too.

The Jets were criticized at the time for using the 235-pound power back as a kick returner despite his limited experience. The injury robbed Allen of a crucial developmental season, one he badly needed to carve out his place in the Jets’ future backfield plans.

Now, the Jets must finish 2025 without him while Allen turns his attention to 2026.

Braelon Allen injury could have derailed his Jets future

Allen’s absence has allowed Isaiah Davis to firmly establish himself as the team’s No. 2 running back behind Breece Hall. Davis has been the more complete player, serving as a better pass blocker, a more natural pass catcher, and a steadier running back overall.

What should have been a year-long competition has instead turned into Davis seizing a role that Allen never had a chance to fight for. Davis' emergence could threaten Allen's future role with the team.

Behind Hall and Davis, the Jets still roster Khalil Herbert and Kene Nwangwu, but neither has played meaningful offensive snaps when the top two backs are healthy. With Allen out, the backfield hierarchy is essentially set for the rest of the season.

Allen’s long-term potential remains intriguing, as a 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser who entered the league as one of the youngest players in the 2024 draft. But this injury halted all momentum.

After averaging just 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie, Allen managed only 18 carries for 76 yards (4.2 YPC) before going down in Week 4. The Jets never got a real chance to see Allen's development this season.

Allen’s injury may have also influenced how the Jets handled the trade deadline. Had he stayed healthy and proven to be reliable, the Jets may have been more open to moving Breece Hall.

Instead, they turned down Kansas City’s fourth-round offer, seeking a third. Hall now enters the offseason as a free agent, and given his strong recent play, the Jets likely want him back.

Allen will be just 22 years old entering his third NFL season. That’s a positive. The negative is that he returns to a backfield where Davis has carved out a meaningful role and where Hall could still be the centerpiece if brought back. Allen is now fighting uphill to regain the momentum he lost in October.

The potential is still there. But this injury certainly did his standing on the roster moving forward no favors.