After missing last week’s preseason opener, Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen got his chance to take snaps under center Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was held out after tweaking his surgically repaired ankle early in training camp.
Allen was Washington’s third quarterback to take the field behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke. It was his first game action since he was carted off the field last year in Week 9 with a dislocated ankle.
Against the Bengals, Allen was relatively quiet. He took a backseat as Washington’s play-calling showcased undrafted rookie running back Jaret Patterson.
Allen was limited to four passing attempts, completing two for 23 yards. He also hooked up with Antonio Gandy-Golden in the corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
Following Washington’s 17-13 win, Allen said it felt good to get back on the field and his ankle felt great, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Except, there was one omission.
Playing with and against third-unit guys, there were no opportunities for Allen to get hit. While some would think that’s a good thing, Allen brought up he wished he’d got hit.
“Hopefully I get hit next game,” Allen said per Jhabvala. “You gotta get back in the feel of things. It’s a different part of the game you don’t get to experience every day.”
Kyle Allen suffered a gruesome injury in his fourth start last year. He rehabbed his way back in time for training camp this year to make Washington’s quarterback competition a three-way dance. However, the early setback pushed him to the back of the line behind Fitzpatrick and Heinicke.
Playing Friday was a great thing, but it’s been a while since he got hit. Coming back from such a huge injury, being able to take a hit will be a psychological win for Allen in his journey to completely recovering.
He’ll get another opportunity to get hit next week in Washington’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Allen is likely to get an extended look in the last game before the regular season. So, he’ll have a great chance to knock off more rust.
