Dolphins Add Rookie RB Off Waivers From the Commanders

The Miami Dolphins are adding another running back to a depleted backfield as they prepare for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Miami claimed rookie running back Kaytron Allen off waivers from the Washington Commanders on Friday, adding depth as Jaylen Wright is questionable for Week 5.

Washington waived Allen earlier this week to make room for veteran running back Austin Ekeler. The Commanders originally selected Allen in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the ninth running back taken in April.

Allen was one of the best running backs in the Big Ten Conference in 2025

Allen, 23, has appeared in four games this season, rushing for 41 yards on 12 carries. Miami had an opening on its roster after waiving running back Carlos Washington Jr., who was later re-signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad.

Allen joins a Dolphins backfield in search of answers after losing arguably its best offensive player. Star running back De’Von Achane tore his ACL in Miami’s Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.

The rookie will join Wright and Ollie Gordon II in Miami’s backfield. Wright is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game because of a foot injury, but coach Jeff Hafley said he expects the second-year back to be “good to go.”

Allen is a downhill runner who possesses more speed than some might expect. At Penn State, he shared the backfield with Nicholas Singleton but became a red-zone threat and prolific touchdown scorer.

In four seasons with the Nittany Lions, Allen rushed for 4,180 yards and 39 touchdowns, added 70 receptions for 490 yards, and scored four receiving touchdowns. He finished his final college season with 1,303 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Gordon gave Miami’s struggling ground game a much-needed jolt in last weekend’s 15-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries, providing a glimpse of what the Dolphins’ backfield could offer without Achane.

Miami enters Week 5 averaging 104 rushing yards per game, ranking 19th in the NFL. Allen now has a chance to help bolster that production as the Dolphins look for answers at running back after a difficult start to the season.