With RB Breece Hall working his way back to full fitness after dealing with a groin injury, Braelon Allen has the benefit of working with the first-team offense in practice and in limited work in a pair of preseason games.has the benefit of working with the first-team offense in practice and in limited work in a pair of preseason games.
Hall is expected to be back and take his place in the starting backfield when the Jets travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season opener on Sept. 13. Still, Allen said he's prepared and ready for any opportunity that comes his way in his third NFL season.
"It's been great, obviously building that connection with the first group," he said on Monday. "I was, of course, getting a good amount of reps with them to start the year, splitting with Breece. But now, just kind of being able to really immerse myself into that group and try to build with each and every one of those guys who take the field first. It's been a lot of fun for sure."
The fun on the field is back for Allen (6-1, 235) after he sustained a season-ending knee injury at Miami early last season. As he worked back over the winter, the powerful Allen, a guy they call "Agent 0," was a regular presence at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
See photos of the 2026 Jets 53-man roster.
RB Braelon Allen - 0
CB Azareye'h Thomas - 1
CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. - 2
RB Kene Nwangwu - 3
K Blake Grupe - 4
WR Garrett Wilson - 5
S Dane Belton - 6
QB Geno Smith - 7
S Andre Cisco - 8
Edge Will McDonald IV - 9
QB Cade Klubnik - 10
P Austin McNamara - 14
WR Adonai Mitchell - 15
TE Kenyon Sadiq - 16
WR Tim Patrick - 17
WR Isaiah Williams - 18
RB Breece Hall - 20
CB Brandon Stephens - 21
CB D'Angelo Ponds - 23
CB Nahshon Wright - 26
S Malachi Moore - 27
S Minkah Fitzpatrick - 29
Edge David Bailey - 31
RB Isaiah Davis - 32
CB Qwan'tez Stiggers - 37
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball - 41
LS Thomas Hennessey - 42
LB Jamien Sherwood - 44
Edge Joseph Ossai - 46
FB Andrew Beck - 47
LB Trevin Wallace - 49
LB Kiko Mauigoa - 51
Edge Kingsley Enagbare - 52
Edge Braiden McGregor - 55
LB Demario Davis - 56
OL Max Mitchell - 61
OL Dylan Parham - 64
OL Joe Tippmann - 66
OL Jordan Meredith - 67
OL Armand Membou - 70
C Josh Myers - 71
OL Olu Fashanu - 74
OL Chukwuma Okorafor - 79
WR Arian Smith - 82
WR Omar Cooper Jr. - 83
TE Mason Taylor - 85
TE Jelani Woods - 86
TE Jeremy Ruckert - 89
DL Jowon Briggs - 91
DL David Onyemata - 93
DL Darrell Jackson Jr. - 95
DL Harrison Phillips - 97
DL T'Vondre Sweat - 99
"I'm ready," he said. "I mean, [I] kind of got the taste of it already in the preseason, so that was good. Get those plays under my belt, and kind of get the jitters out. But obviously now is the real deal, so it's a little more intense. But I'm super excited. I'm excited to see what this team can do."
In limited work in a pair of preseason games -- like the majority of the first-team offense, he sat out the finale against the Giants -- Allen had 7 carries for 48 yards (6.86 per rush) and a TD, with a long ramble of 31 yards for a score against the Buccaneers. He can also be dangerous in the passing game as was evident during camp practices, though it was less apparent in the preseason when he had a single reception for 5 yards.
Though Hall, who is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season and recently signed a new contract with the club, will be expected to see the lion's share of action, Allen is all in on whatever his role turns out to be.
"I'm always ready," he said. "That's what I work for. Of course, we want Breece back and as healthy as possible, as quickly as possible. We know what he means to this team and what kind of player he is, and all he's going to help us do is win. But if the opportunity is ever placed in my hands, I'm going to take full advantage of it. I don't think anybody in the Jets organization or the fan base will be disappointed."
