Rookie Braelon Allen shows he belongs in Jets’ preseason win over Commanders

The Jets rested most of their key offensive players in Saturday’s preseason opener, but one rookie showed he deserves more than a cursory role this season.

Rookie running back Braelon Allen had an impressive debut against the Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

Allen rushed the ball six times for 54 yards, including runs of 24 and 16 yards.

Allen, a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin, is in line to be the second running back behind Breece Hall.

The only offensive starter who played in the 20-17 Jets victory was center Joe Tippmann, who has had a rough time snapping the ball in camp and needed the reps.

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The rest of the starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, watched from the sideline.

Tyrod Taylor started at quarterback and failed to get much going. The offense went three-and-out on the first two series with Taylor.

Allen sparked the offense at the start of the second quarter.

He broke off a 16-yard run on the Jets first play of the second quarter.

Fellow rookie Olu Fashanu, who played the entire first half at left tackle, helped spring him with a nice block.

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After a 5-yard run, Allen again broke into the open field, this time gaining 24 yards to the Commanders’ 36-yard line.

Rookie quarterback Andrew Peasley then found Isaiah Davis, another rookie back, on a pass that went 24 yards to the 12.

Peasley capped off the drive with a pretty 12-yard fade pass to Jason Brownlee for a touchdown that tied the game at 7-7.

The Jets did not have any of their defensive starters play in the game.

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Defensive ends Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald, who are playing a lot in training camp with Haason Reddick holding out, did play.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the Draft, played just one drive but was impressive. He threw a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown, who was covered by Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

The 11-play, 70-yard drive ended with Daniels running into the end zone from the 3 on a zone-read play where Clemons crashed toward the running back and let Daniels get around the edge.

Fashanu played the entire first half. He did not give up any sacks, but he did have one false start penalty.

McDonald, the 2023 first-round pick, blasted Commanders backup quarterback Jeff Driskel and was flagged for roughing the passer.

McDonald will be fighting for playing time when Reddick reports and needs to make some plays in the preseason.

Austin Seibert made a 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the game to give the Jets the 20-17 victory.

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