Monday Night Football continued the trend of more and more NFL players being injured. This time, the New York Jets running back Braelon Allen sustained an MCL sprain during Monday’s 27-21 loss at Miami and will be placed on injured reserve. The injury occurred during a kick return in the second quarter.
What is the Latest on Braelon Allen’s Status?
On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Jets officially placed Allen on the injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games for the team. Depending on the severity of the tear, an MCL sprain can take anywhere from one to eight weeks to recover.
Insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the news on Tuesday, also indicating that Allen is seeking a secondary opinion on the MCL sprain diagnosis.
“RB Braelon Allen, who was ruled out last night with a knee injury, suffered an MCL sprain that will likely land him on Injured Reserve, sources say. Allen is expected to receive addition opinions,” Rapoport said on his X.
“RB Braelon Allen (knee) will be placed on IR today, per source,” wrote Jets insider Rich Cimini on Thursday. “Surgery is possible. Still being evaluated. Too early to say if it’s season-ending, though this appears to be more than just a 4-week return. #Jets will make a corresponding roster move.”
On Friday, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed a lengthy spell on the sidelines for Allen. “Braelon Allen’s injury timetable is 8-12 weeks, Aaron Glenn said,” wrote Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt on X. “Allen is currently deciding if he’s going to rehab it or get surgery.”
During the second quarter previously mentioned, a Dolphins defender made direct contact with the side of Allen’s left knee during his return, and his knee bent awkwardly. After spending several moments on the field, Allen eventually walked to the sideline medical tent and then the locker room.
Prior to injury, he had four carries for 26 yards and a goal-line fumble against the Miami Dolphins (now 1-3).
Allen also shares carries in the Jets’ (now 0-4) backfield as part of a tandem with starter Breece Hall. A second-year pro, Allen has seen more limited play this season with 14 carries for 50 yards and two catches for 17 yards through New York’s first three games.
Hall has been the 12th-ranked running back on the season in addition to having an impact score of 81.0 in PFSN’s RB Impact metric.
Allen was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Wisconsin alum has rushed for 410 yards across 110 carries in his career so far.
Hall is a bit more seasoned at 24, having been drafted in 2022. The 5’11”, 217-pound running back has run for 2,571 yards and 14 touchdowns across four seasons of work, in addition to catching for eight touchdowns and 1,400 yards.
This latest injury comes just after Sunday, which saw the Baltimore Ravens also lose five starters to injury. In addition, the New York Giants have also lost Malik Nabers for the season with a torn ACL.