Dolphins Claim RB Kaytron Allen

Miami claimed Allen on Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The team, which is down De’Von Achane for the season, will pick up a through-2029 rookie contract.

Washington appears set to move 10th-year veteran Jeremy McNichols off IR. Had the team retained Allen and activated McNichols, it would have been carrying five running backs on its 53-man roster. The Commanders have Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White, and they brought back Austin Ekeler via an in-season addition. Allen became the odd man out, and the Dolphins will see what the Penn State alum can do.

New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has been active on the waiver wire this year. The Dolphins turned over a chunk of their roster after cutdown day, claiming seven players on the wire. This haul included fifth-round rookie tight end Justin Joly (from the Broncos). A few weeks later, another 2026 Day 3 skill-position draftee will make his way to Miami.

Drafted 187th overall out of Penn State, Allen is the Nittany Lions’ all-time leading rusher (4,180 yards). He did not take advantage of a COVID-19 season to play beyond four seasons en route to that record. He eclipsed 850 rushing yards in all four of his Penn State seasons, closing his career with 1,108- and 1,303-yard performances.

The 217-pound back logged 12 carries for 41 yards with Washington. He joins Ollie Gordon, Jaylen Wright and Carlos Washington as backs on Miami’s 53-man roster. While Allen was unlikely to see a prominent role in a now-crowded Washington backfield, the Achane injury — and the Dolphins’ big-picture aim that appears destined to include plenty of uphill battles this season — opens the door for the former Big Ten standout following this claim.