Is it just that he's so excited to see the new guys in action that he forgot to mention the second-year player in the mix at the running back position?
The New York Jets host the Washington Commanders in a preseason opener on August 10, and the Green & White's fourth-year head coach Robert will get his first look at rookie running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis in a real game situation. With Breece Hall owning a stranglehold on the RB1 spot, Allen and Davis are amongst those competing for backup duties during training camp.
When asked about the team's running back ahead of the preseason lid-lifter, Saleh singled out Allen and Davis by name while failing to mention anything about 2022 fifth-round draft pick Israel Abanikanda.
"I want to see them. I kind of want to see a style of play out of them. Braelon Allen looks heavy, he's felt heavy in practice, and I'm excited to see what it looks like in game action. Same thing with Isaiah," said Saleh on Thursday. "We're looking forward to see what they can do from a protection standpoint on third down, working in and out of protection and then out of the backfield as a route runner. I'm just looking for an overall game out of them, but if all indications of practice come to fruition on gameday, it's going to be pretty good."
In what could be interpreted as another ominous sign for Abanikanda, who carried only 22 times as a rookie, the Jets' first unofficial depth chart listed the Brooklyn-born running back in the No. 4 slot. Xazavian Valladay, who spent the 2023 season on the Jets' Practice Squad, was in the fifth spot.
Abanikanda reportedly struggled to earn playing time last year due to his lack of pass blocking ability. It would be odd for a team to move on from a fifth-round draft pick after only one year, but Abanikanda has clearly taken a back seat this summer.
After reclamation project Tarik Cohen, retired, the Jets added Deon Jackson to the stable of running backs earlier this week.
More New York Jets News:
• WR Garrett Wilson consistently cooks Washington Commanders defender
• Jets star WR can officially begin training camp practice
• Jets could potentially dodge two 49ers superstars in season opener
• No end in sight for Haason Reddick holdout from Jets training camp
• Jets' defense can continue tradition vs. top rookie QB in preseason opener