Braelon Allen Flourishes as Jets’ Lead Back; Bailey, Sherwood Fuel Turnover Push
By Jack Bell | Oct. 19, 2026
Braelon Allen has emerged as the New York Jets’ primary ball carrier during Breece Hall’s absence, producing consecutive 100-yard scrimmage games and shouldering a significant workload over the past two weeks. Head coach Aaron Glenn praised Allen on Monday, saying the third-year back has shown he can handle a bell-cow role and that his performance makes it easier to share carries once Hall returns. Allen has filled a larger role since Hall suffered a quad injury three games ago.
Allen ran with power and efficiency in Sundays 26-19 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, producing four runs of 10 or more yards and finishing with 17 carries for 78 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and two receptions for 26 yards. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound back flattened Patriots safety Craig Woodson after a catch in Patriots territory, a play that illustrated his ability to finish runs and absorb contact in short-yardage situations. Tight end Mason Taylor said Allen stepped up in a major way while Hall has been sidelined.
The third-year runner has totaled nine rushes of at least 10 yards over the past two weeks, joining Curtis Martin and Chris Ivory as the only Jets backs with that many such runs in a two-week span since 1991, according to the team. Those 220 yards from scrimmage came in games against Cleveland and New England. Allen currently leads the Jets’ ground attack with 314 rushing yards on 74 carries and two rushing touchdowns this season. Over the past two weeks he has 41 carries for 194 yards and has forced 12 missed tackles.
Generating turnovers has been a focal point for New York’s defense, and the Jets recovered two fumbles against New England after punchouts by rookie edge David Bailey and linebacker Jamien Sherwood. Safety Dane Belton said creating turnovers is an emphasis for the unit because turnover margin often determines outcomes. Bailey punched the ball out of Patriots running back TreyVon Henderson on a third-quarter run and Sherwood fell on the ball at the New England 36, setting up a short-field opportunity. The drive stalled inside the 10, but Jason Sanders converted a 36-yard field goal to cut the deficit.
Bailey leads the Jets with five sacks and three forced fumbles and, through six career games, is the only NFL player with at least 30 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and a forced fumble, the team noted. He has also drawn four offensive holding penalties, tied for the most in the league. Sherwood produced a signature play when he chased down DeMario Douglas after a 39-yard reception from Drake Maye, punched the ball free and teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered following a run of more than 40 yards.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Allen’s recent production validates the Jets’ confidence that he can carry a heavier workload and eases pressure on the offense while Hall is sidelined. His ability to gain yards between the tackles and break long runs gives the Jets more flexibility in early-down play calling. On defense, Bailey’s combination of pressures and forced fumbles along with Sherwood’s chase-and-punch play highlight the unit’s deliberate emphasis on turnover creation. Sustained takeaways will be critical in close games as the Jets look to improve their record.