Brian

Allen

Allen was a key starter at center for a Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI. Initially picked in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of Michigan State, Allen became a full time starter in 2019. He sat out the 2020 season due to injury, but started 16 games in 2021. Named a Pro Bowl alternate that season, Allen instead went to the Super Bowl and won with the Rams. Injuries would derail his next two seasons in Los Angeles, eventually getting released last year. He spent last offseason with the Browns, but did not play in 2024 after suffering a calf injury and getting released. Allen comes away from his six-year career with a ring and the 29-year-old now heads into retirement.

Allen’s career includes a 2021 Pro Bowl-alternate nod, a Super Bowl LVI victory and various season-ending injuries. He most recently earned a 79.8 PFF pass-blocking grade on just 34 regular season snaps in 2023. If healthy, Allen could contribute in a rotational capacity but his brief injured reserve stint, followed by a quick release after his late-July injury, bodes poorly for his 2024 season.

Allen was injured on the third day of camp and will now miss some time as a result. The veteran center was signed by the Browns earlier this offseason after spending the first five years of his career with the Rams. Allen was limited to just five games last season and has played in just 12 games over the last two years. With Allen now out, the Browns went out and added guard Zack Johnson to the roster.

Allen was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2018 but was released in February. He’s played in 50 career games in Los Angeles, but injuries over the years have limited him to 32 starts and he ended last season on the injured list after suffering a calf injury in Week 15. The Browns have Ethan Pocic at center, but the only other center on the roster is 2023 sixth-round pick Luke Wypler, so Allen could compete for a back-up spot in Cleveland.

Allen has been in the NFL for six seasons but has only started double-digit games in a year once. That was in 2021. He missed 10 games in 2022 and was demoted to a backup role this past season. Coleman Shelton handled the starting duties for LA. If healthy, Allen could still be a starting center for an NFL team, but it’s hard to bet on him being available for a full season. The move clears roughly $4.9 million in cap space.

Allen wound up starting just seven games after leaving Week 15’s game following just two snaps. His inability to stay healthy was one of many reasons the Rams struggled to form a cohesive offensive line group around Matthew Stafford and the backup crew. Set to return on a $6.8 million cap number in 2023, cutting Allen isn’t out of the question this offseason.

Allen was questionable to play this week because of a knee issue, but he apparently suffered a knew injury on the first or second play of the game. He limped off the field and was in the locker room within minutes. He will likely be ruled out for the remainder of the game by halftime.

If the Rams got their starting center back it might make their running backs slightly more palatable in Week 13. Allen has not played since Week 10 and has only played four total games this season.

Just what the Rams needed: More offensive line upheaval! With David Edwards also dealing with a setback, it’s possible that Los Angeles promotes some practice squad linemen for this game Jeremiah Kolone may be in line for the start.

Allen has been out since getting a clean-out procedure on his knee following Week 1. His return should help solidify a unit that has struggled to protect Matthew Stafford so far this season.