The Washington Commanders continue to shuffle their 53-man roster as players return from injury. On Wednesday, Washington released its Week 5 injury report, listing 23 players. Seventeen of those 23 players were either limited or did not practice.
Good news for the Commanders: three players on injured reserve had their 21-day return windows opened. Running back Jeremy McNichols, cornerback Trey Amos and defensive end Deatrich Wise could all return soon. To make room for these returning players, Washington will need to make room. On Wednesday, the Commanders opened a roster spot by surprisingly releasing rookie sixth-round pick running back Kaytron Allen.
That move would seemingly free up a spot for McNichols’ return on Sunday against the New York
Giants. After Allen’s release, the Commanders now have Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler on the roster. McNichols would give them four backs. White missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury and was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
We have released RB Kaytron Allen pic.twitter.com/vEZcyIMjiL
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 8, 2026
The 5-foot-11, 217-pound Allen was a sixth-round pick, No. 187 overall in April’s 2026 NFL Draft. He played at Penn State, where he was the school’s all-time leading rusher. Allen appeared in all of Washington’s first four games this season, carrying the ball 12 times for 41 yards.
With Allen released and McNichols set to return, Washington could sign Allen to its practice squad if he clears waivers. The Commanders lost fellow rookie running back Robert Henry Jr., who signed with the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster earlier this week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders surprisingly release rookie running back
