Salahdin Allah, the Iowa State running back who transferred from Oregon State, announced that he will sit out the 2026 season after doctors diagnosed a torn Achilles tendon. The news came during the team's Tailgate Tour in Des Moines, where head coach Jimmy Rogers publicly confirmed the injury.
Spring setbacks
Allah was absent from the Cyclones' spring showcase in April, a absence highlighted by a knee scooter and a cast on his lower right leg that he was seen wearing on the sidelines. The injury not only ends his 2026 plans but also underscores a fragile health outlook for the backfield.
The setback compounds existing depth issues. Redshirt freshman Jayden Jackson has already left the program, and the coaching staff now expects increased carries from Cameron Pettaway and Aiden Flora to fill the void left by Allah's absence.
Roster ripple effects
Adding to the turbulence, transfer safety Braden Awls will also miss the 2026 season after sustaining an ACL injury. Together, these losses force the Cyclones to rethink both their offensive and defensive lineups heading into the next cycle.
Allah's college career has been marked by gradual growth. At Oregon State he logged 74 carries for 329 yards and a touchdown over the past two seasons, but his role diminished as a sophomore, managing just 19 rushes for 71 yards and three receptions for 26 yards. He is projected to recover fully and return to competition in the spring of 2027.