New York Jets running back Braelon Allen was placed on injured reserve with a sprained MCL on Thursday, three days after he injured his knee in a 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Allen served as the primary kickoff returner and short-yardage back for the Jets, helping spare Breece Hall in those situations as part of the NFL’s third-ranked rushing offense (144.5 yards per game, 5.2 yards per carry).
Allen, 21, was hurt on a kickoff return in the second quarter after losing his first career fumble in the first.
Isaiah Davis has been used as the third-down back, but his role might expand.
The Jets (0-4) lost back-to-back games in Florida, 29-27 at Tampa Bay and the six-point loss to the Dolphins, and are at home to play the Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) on Sunday. New York is looking to win for the first time under head coach Aaron Glenn.
The Cowboys allowed 123.3 rushing yards per game in the first month of the season.
Allen, who lost the fumble at the 1 at Miami in Week 4, has 18 carries for 76 yards this season. He’s averaging 25 yards on four kickoff returns.
Davis has five carries for 27 yards and three receptions for 24 yards.
Running back Kene Nwangwu, 27, would be a candidate to fill the return specialist spot but he was unable to practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.
