The Commanders have waived rookie running back Kaytron Allen.
That was a surprise move even with Jeremy McNichols practicing again (while on IR) and Austin Ekeler now on the roster, considering how much the Commanders liked the Penn State product.
The team announced the transaction on Thursday afternoon.
The Commanders drafted Allen in the sixth-round out of Penn State, where he set school rushing records. He was a popular player among the fan base, with a preferred nickname of ‘Fatman,’ and a physical
rushing style that was thought to play well in short-yardage situations.
The running game hasn’t been productive to this point, which isn’t all on the backs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt hasn’t been efficient running the ball. Rachaad White was running well before suffering a shoulder injury. Ekeler’s back in the mix and McNichols just had his 21-day practice window opened this week.
Allen was expected to make an immediate impact and looked good during the summer and was thought to have an active role in the rushing game, though that outlook as changed with the personnel available.
The running back room was getting crowded and Allen was an odd man out, though the Commanders will probably try to sign him to the practice squad, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll clear waivers. Seattle signed Robert Henry off the practice squad, where Craig Reynolds still resides.
It’s hard to imagine the Commanders giving up on Allen, even as a lower-round draft pick. Time will tell if he’s able to get to the practice squad. All it takes is one team that liked him in the draft to sign him to their active roster.
Please check back for updates on this developing story.
