Braelon

Allen

Allen looked pretty good as a runner but didn’t get a lot of opportunities with the Jets trailing most of the game. Allen played eight fewer snaps than Breece Hall, took three fewer carries, and ran a route on four fewer dropbacks, but he didn’t command nearly as many targets. It’s hard to trust Allen in fantasy next week against the Chargers.

Breece Hall, returning from his quad injury, led the New York backfield with 15 carries while adding three grabs out of the backfield. It was Allen, however, who led the Jets backfield in pass routes, 21 to 10. That sort of pass game usage could keep Allen viable in deeper formats since the Jets are going to be chasing points more weeks than not. Both Jets running backs average 4.1 yards per carry against an elite KC front seven. Allen plays the Bills in Week 10.

Finally returning from his multi-month quad injury, Hall took over as the Jets’ lead back even after Braelon Allen had a nice run as the team’s RB1. Allen ended up with 10 touches on the day, including eight carries. Hall looked spry, dodging would-be tacklers and creating yards after first contact on a handful of his touches. It seems Jets coaches were serious when they said Hall would resume lead back duties upon his return. Hall’s role in the Jets offense should make him a locked-in top-24 option, including next week against the Bills.

This comes a day after Hall said he expects to play, so this news isn’t all too surprising. Hall’s return could somewhat complicate the Jets’ backfield situation on Sunday, however, as Braelon Allen has played well in Hall’s absence, making a strong case for more touches even when Hall is healthy. Glenn declined to get into how he plans to divvy up his running backs’ touches next week, saying “both guys will play,” when asked about his plans. This was already shaping up to be a tough fantasy matchup on the road against the Chiefs, but a potential backfield split would only further complicate matters. Until we see how things shake out, both Hall and Allen should be viewed as mid-to-low-end RB2s.

Hall is expected to return this week, but a full practice might be required before the team gives him the go-ahead. Hall logged three limited practices last week before being ruled out on Sunday. Barring a setback, we’re still expecting Hall to ramp up to a full session over the next two days. Assuming he does, Hall will likely split work with Braelon Allen, who has been extremely effective as the Jets’ workhorse running back in his absence. Both backs will sit in the RB3 ranks for their Week 9 date with the Chiefs.

Hall, barring setbacks in practice, should be OK for Week 9 against the Chiefs. What his workload will look like is another question entirely. Braelon Allen has established himself as an efficient, tough runner over the past few weeks, and could remain the Jets’ lead rusher while Hall takes on most pass-catching opportunities. Though Hall should have some kind of floor in Week 9, he probably doesn’t have much of a ceiling unless the Jets decided to phase out Allen.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has knocked down suggestions that the Jets would trade Hall before the league’s trade deadline, as Braelon Allen continues as one of the NFL’s most productive rushers. When asked about how the backfield might look when Hall returns from his quad injury, Reich seemed to say Hall would remain the de facto lead runner. “Well, that’s obviously coach’s decision, but they’re both the guy … I mean, that’s a good problem to have,” Reich said. “That’s coach’s decision, but to me … Breece is our guy. I’m assuming Breece is our guy, you know what I mean? He’s one of the best in the NFL, but I think what’s been so excited is like, oh my gosh, we’ve got two of them. I mean, we’ve got two. This Braelon guy, he’s a beast as well.” Allen this season ranks third among running backs in rushing success rate; 11th in rush yards over expected per attempt; eighth in yards after contact per rush; and over the past three weeks he ranks eighth among RBs in expected fantasy points per game, proving the haters wrong along the way. Hall is expected to return to action this week against the Chiefs.

Allen added two receptions for six yards. With Breece Hall a surprising weekend ruleout with an aggravation of his long-running quad injury, Allen got another start and once again made the most of it. Allen’s career-high 147 yards on the ground included a 24-yard rush and 21-yard touchdown where he got the edge and was then not touched en route to the house. In between, he got shaken up on a big hit but appeared no worse for the wear. Although Hall is supposedly in play for Week 9, he was never even supposed to be in doubt for Week 8. For now we will consider Hall on the wrong side of questionable to face the Chiefs’ strong defense on the road. Even if Hall goes, Allen will maintain FLEX appeal. If Hall sits, Allen will be a must-start RB2.

Hall seems to have suffered a rather serious setback with the quad injury that has been dogging him since September. This is easily said in hindsight, but it would seem Gang Green did not handle the issue particularly well. Hall is supposedly “hoping for next week,” but we would consider him on the wrong side of questionable until further notice. Isaiah Davis will serve as Braelon Allen’s breather back. Joining Hall on the shelf are EDGE David Bailey, WR Tim Patrick, CB Nahshon Wright, ED David Bailey, OL Kohl Levao and OL Max Mitchell.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported an hour ago that Braelon Allen will get the start, but he didn’t explicitly rule out Hall for Week 8. Fowler’s report makes things relatively black and white. Hall will miss today’s game versus the Raiders. He got in three practices this week before being listed as questionable on Friday. Though a Week 9 return is on the table, the Jets’ failure to put Hall on IR, only for him to miss at least five games, suggests his injury is worse than they initially expected. It’s possible he’s held out beyond today’s game. Braelon Allen will continue to dominate the Jets’ backfield touches until Hall returns.