This may show more to the extent of the damage.
Could you stsple every other row of hardwood flooring.
If there is a doorway at the end of the hall that separates the spaces you can choose to install wood running in a different.
Tap the planks into place gently with a mallet or using a tapping block and hammer.
Load the brad nailer with 1 2 inch brads.
When you are choosing hardwood flooring for a long hallway make sure that you do not install it running parallel to the room s length.
In this case you may only have to repair the section pulled out.
I think you should always do the same throughout if you can.
Check with the flooring manufacturer for recommendations.
The correct direction for laying hardwood floors.
Nail brads at a 45 degree angle into the tongue of the first row every 4 inches until the row is nailed into the subfloor.
What if you just removed the floor trim and like two of every three planks to make them longer and flow into the next room then just do the same flooring.
When installing new wood flooring parallel to an existing solid nail down floor add a minimum of 3 8 plywood underlayment over the existing floor to increase stability.
This will make it appear narrower than if you install it in the other direction.
It makes the space seem bigger and helps for resale.
Attach the groove of the next row to the tongue of the first row ensuring a snug fit.
In my opinion the best thing you could do is have a section of flooring pulled out and see exactly what the subfloor and or backside of the flooring look like.
There is always a possibility.