Commanders waive Kaytron Allen for Jeremy McNichols

Even the guy who covers this team every day didn't see this one coming. John Keim's first reaction to the move was pretty much everyone's.

John Keim

@john_keim

With Jeremy McNichols possibly back, a move needed to be made. Still a surprise

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter

A surprise: Commanders waived sixth-round pick, running back Kaytron Allen.

Here's how it got here. Allen went to Washington at pick 187 out of Penn State in April, then beat out fellow rookie Robert Henry Jr. for the last running back spot on the initial 53. McNichols, who was ahead of him on the depth chart, wasn't cut that day. He went to injured reserve instead, so the 2 of them never really had to fight over a roster spot.

That bill came due this week. After McNichols sat out 4 games on IR, Washington opened his 21-day return window. Count the backfield and it already had Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler and Allen. Adding McNichols makes 5 running backs, and nobody keeps 5. Somebody had to go, and it ended up being the rookie instead of one of the vets.

Keim's follow-up is what keeps this from being a straight cut. Washington isn't trying to get rid of Allen. It's trying to hide him.

John Keim

@john_keim

The goal/hope is that they can get Kaytron Allen back on the practice squad.

That's the gamble. Once a player is waived, all 31 other teams get a shot at claiming him before he can land on Washington's practice squad. A downhill rookie runner on a cheap rookie deal is just the kind of guy a team with a banged-up backfield might take a flier on. If he clears waivers, Washington keeps developing him and hangs onto its depth. If someone claims him, the Commanders gave away a draft pick they liked so they could bring back a veteran.

Watch the waiver wire. If Allen clears, he should be back in the building on the practice squad within days, and this was just roster accounting. If he gets claimed, this ends up as a surprise that cost Washington a player, and it'll get brought up again whenever the backfield gets thin.