An MRI on Jared Allen’s injured foot confirmed a break, but the Carolina Panthers are listing him as day-to-day with the injury as the defensive end tries to work through it.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Allen won’t practice Wednesday and is doubtful for this week’s game against the Cardinals, which means there’s at least a 75 percent chance that he won’t play.
Allen had three quarterback hits in Sunday’s 31-24 victory over Seattle but no sacks. He injured his foot in the fourth quarter and played the final two series of the game with it.
“His mentality is, he’s going to want to do everything he can to play, knowing him,” Rivera said. “We’ve got to be smart about this. This is the opportunity to get to the next step, but we can’t risk certain things trying to get there.”
The fear Sunday night was Allen’s injury was like Star Lotulelei’s last year that forced him to miss the final playoff game and eventually have surgery. Rivera wasn’t sure if this injury will require surgery but said the MRI showed Allen’s injury isn’t as bad as originally thought.
Rivera said the Panthers will wait until Friday before making a roster move if they must. The likely move would be to bring up Wes Horton from the practice squad.
If Allen does not play, Kony Ealy would likely get the start opposite Charles Johnson. Defensive end Mario Addison could see additional time at the position, too.
“I hope Jared’s all right, but next man up. I’m ready,” Addison said. “I’ve been prepared to play more snaps whenever I get the opportunity, and I play well. I hope Jared comes back, but if not I’m going to hold him down.”
Allen will still be around the team, much like cornerback Charles Tillman, if he can’t play this week.
“If there’s a glimmer of hope that he can play he’s going to try to play. I promise you he’ll try to play,” Rivera said. “And if he can’t, he’s going to be around and be an annoyance. He’s going to want to be in the middle of it and do whatever he can to help us. That’s the kind of young man (he is).”
Allen is tied with Julius Peppers as the career active sacks leader at 136. Allen has played in one NFC Championship Game in his 12-year career but has never advanced to the Super Bowl.
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