Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen suited up for his second NFL preseason game with the New York Jets against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
The three-year Badger notched eight carries for 27 rushing yards and reeled in two catches for 12 yards through the air. In his Jets debut last week, the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native tallied six carries for 54 yards (9.0 yards per carry).
Allen did all of his damage in the first half of New York’s 15-12 win over Carolina with fourth-string quarterback Andrew Peasley under center. The rookie from Wyoming targeted the first-year running back from Wisconsin on four pass attempts, a welcome sight after Allen’s no-catch output in week one.
As opposed to what transpired in the debut vs. Washington, Allen couldn’t find much open space against the Panthers’ rush defense. He did manage to push for a few extra yards towards the end of several plays, however, something Wisconsin fans were accustomed to witnessing when he trampled defenders at Camp Randall.
Here’s what Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh had to say about Allen’s performance on Saturday:
“We picked him for a lot of reasons, because he’s actually really good out of the backfield and route-running, he’s really good in protection, too. We think he’s an all-around good back and he’s a very powerful runner, too, and he’s displaying that, down in and down out.”
Braelon Allen @ Carolina Panthers. All touches (including penalties).
2024 Preseason, Week 2. pic.twitter.com/JfLecbu186
— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) August 18, 2024
Allen remains No. 2 on the Jets’ running back depth chart behind star Breece Hall. Barring any injury complications or serious blunders on the gridiron, he will remain in that position headed into New York’s first regular season test against the defensing NFC champion San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9.