The New York Jets held their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week, and an unexpected highlight came not from the quarterbacks or the first-round pass rusher, but from second-year running back Braelon Allen. His candid update on his knee injury reshapes how the team and fans should view the running back depth chart heading into training camp.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2024, Allen appeared in just four games last season. During that limited action, he carried the ball 18 times for 76 yards and one touchdown, adding two receptions for 17 yards. While these numbers represent a small sample, the reason behind it -- a lingering knee injury -- is the real cause for concern.
During the OTA sessions, Allen was directly asked about his knee health. Unlike players who downplay injuries in voluntary offseason practices, Allen openly acknowledged ongoing issues with the joint. His readiness to address the injury publicly in early June, five months after the last NFL season concluded, suggests the knee remains a significant factor in his preparation for the 2026 season.
This revelation carries weight for two primary reasons. First, Allen missed 13 of 17 regular-season games in 2025 due to the knee, an absence that signaled a major durability issue rather than a minor setback. The Jets initially envisioned Allen as the power back complement behind star rusher Breece Hall, someone to handle short-yardage situations and change-of-pace duties. With Allen sidelined, Isaiah Davis stepped into that No. 2 role and logged a full season, carrying 43 times for 236 yards with a touchdown and catching 21 passes for 186 yards. Davis's durability and availability essentially leapfrogged Allen on the depth chart.
Second, Allen's public comments about his knee in voluntary OTAs serve as an indication that the injury is not yet fully behind him. Typically, players who have fully recovered from such setbacks focus on letting their on-field reps speak for themselves. Allen breaking that norm points to an ongoing reality that the Jets must manage carefully.
The Jets' backfield remains deep, with Hall undisputedly entrenched as the lead back after a 2025 campaign highlighted by 243 carries, 1,065 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 36 receptions for 350 yards receiving. Behind him, Davis has proven he can handle a full season's workload. Other backs like Kene Nwangwu, a return specialist with limited carries, as well as Sam Scott and Chip Trayanum, round out the depth chart.
For Allen to reclaim a significant role, his health in the summer months--especially once pads go on--is crucial. Entering his third NFL season, he has yet to produce a full, effective campaign. His rookie season (2024) featured 100 carries at 3.2 yards per carry, below efficient production levels. His 2025 season was curtailed by injury after just four games.
The Jets' front office, led by general manager Darren Mougey, and the coaching staff under head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Frank Reich, did not add running backs in the 2026 draft. This quiet approach signals confidence in the existing backs but also means Allen's path to playing time relies entirely on his health and ability to push past Davis, who has now solidified himself as the dependable backup.
There remains a scenario where Allen returns to the player the Jets hoped to draft--a young, physical RB with the tools to thrive in a demanding NFL schedule. He is only 22 years old and showed promise with 100 carries as a rookie. However, injury history dating back to his college days at Wisconsin, where he also missed time, raises questions about whether he can maintain durability over the longer NFL season.
Following the conclusion of OTAs, the Jets' running back depth chart appears set: Breece Hall firmly the lead back, Isaiah Davis entrenched as the primary backup, and Allen competing with Nwangwu, Scott, and Trayanum for remaining roles. Of this group, Allen has the highest perceived talent level, but that is only relevant if he can stay healthy.
My assessment is clear: Braelon Allen represents the biggest wild card in the Jets' backfield heading into training camp. His health will dictate whether he can fill the short-yardage, power back role that Frank Reich's offense needs--an important complement to the team's young quarterback--or if he ends up as a roster bubble player if the knee prevents full availability.
Currently, the Jets possess $26.59 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap, and could add veteran depth at running back before camp if needed. The decision not to do so yet suggests the organization is betting on Allen overcoming his injury challenges.
If Allen's knee issues persist through 2026, the Jets will rely on Hall and Davis and consider the 2024 fourth-round pick a miss in terms of immediate contributions. Meanwhile, the 2026 Jets draft class, which brought in tight end Kenyon Sadiq, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, and edge rusher David Bailey with its first four picks, reflects a focus on other areas of need rather than running back.
Allen now faces the challenge of proving the Jets' confidence in him was justified. His willingness to publicly discuss the knee injury emphasizes that his health is an open question as June progresses and the team approaches training camp.
Key indicators in the coming weeks will be Allen's participation in practices and his role in first-team special teams reps, which often indicate a player's true health status beyond just being on the active roster.
In conclusion, Braelon Allen is the most intriguing player to watch in the Jets' backfield as July approaches. His potential impact ranges widely--from a vital offensive weapon to a candidate for roster cuts--depending on whether his knee cooperates. The Jets know the stakes and are watching closely. Now, the pad-on practices will tell the full story.
