The New York Jets have signed veteran running back Khalil Herbert as a direct response to a significant injury affecting their roster. Braelon Allen, who was injured during the game against the Miami Dolphins, has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a sprained MCL. This development comes as the Jets seek to bolster their lineup after a challenging start to the 2025 NFL season.
Allen, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, sustained the injury during the Jets’ recent match against the Dolphins, which concluded with a score of 27-21. Following the game, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported via X that Allen is expected to be sidelined for more than four weeks as he seeks further medical opinions on his knee injury.
In light of Allen’s absence, the Jets have turned to Herbert to fill the gap in their backfield. Herbert, entering his fifth year in the league, was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2021 from Virginia Tech. After spending his early career in Chicago, Herbert was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024 and later signed with the Indianapolis Colts before being released during final roster cuts in August. Recently, he had been on the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks prior to joining the Jets.
The Jets have struggled at the start of the season, currently holding a record of 0-4. Their defeats have included a narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener, where they fell 34-32 despite a strong performance from former quarterback Aaron Rodgers. A subsequent game against the Buffalo Bills ended in another defeat, followed by a closely contested match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the upcoming schedule, the Jets are set to host the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday before traveling to play the Denver Broncos the following week. As the team looks to turn their season around, the addition of Herbert may provide a much-needed boost to their running attack.
The Jets’ management will be hoping that Herbert can step up and contribute significantly in the absence of Allen, whose potential was evident early in his career. As the team navigates through these early-season challenges, their ability to adapt and perform will be critical in the weeks ahead.