Braelon Allen makes emphatic Jets return with 31-yard touchdown after 11-month layoff

It has been 11 months since the Jets were able to see running back Braelon Allen in a game. He did not disappoint in his return. 

Allen broke a 31-yard touchdown run Friday night against the Buccaneers in one of the most encouraging highlights from the game for the Jets. Allen is returning from a knee injury that ended his season after just four games last year. 

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert threw a key block on the touchdown and was one of Allen’s excited teammates. 

“I was super happy for him, but not a surprise for us,” Ruckert said. “We get to see everything he does behind closed doors, how much work he puts in, how much he takes care of his body. I think it was good for the world to see his hard work pay off and he’s still building in the right direction. He’s going to be huge for us this year.” 

If the Jets have a healthy and productive Allen, they could have a nice 1-2 punch at running back with Breece Hall. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said he hopes to have a three-headed monster at running back with Hall, Allen and Isaiah Davis. 

“We all saw his ability to actually press the hole, right?” Glenn said. “Put his foot in the ground and get vertical and then run away from people. The speed that he’s always had, that’s really showed up. It’s really good to see it. I’m happy for him. I’m proud of him. Listen, we’re all rooting for that player.” 

Braelon Allen of the New York Jets celebrates his first-quarter touchdown with teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on August 14, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images

Center Josh Myers said the team exploded on the sideline when Allen broke free. 

“In here, we all know the type of player that he is and what he’s capable of,” Myers said. “Obviously, it’s been a really hard year for him. There’s nothing worse than getting injured and being out, especially for that period of time. I think the whole team … and I think you could probably feel it a little bit, the whole team was just so pumped for him. He deserves it. He’s a great dude.” 

NT T’Vondre Sweat passed his physical Saturday and will be removed from the non-football injury list. Sweat has not practiced in training camp yet due to a hamstring injury. The expectation is that Sweat will ramp up this week and could practice next week. The Jets acquired Sweat in March in a trade with the Titans and Sweat is expected to be a key piece of the Jets defense.