Jared Allen ruled out of NFC Championship due to foot injury
The Carolina Panthers have officially ruled out defensive end Jared Allen from the NFC Championship Game
Defensive end Jared Allen has been a solid trade acquisition for the Carolina Panthers. The Chicago Bears unloaded the aging defensive end to the Panthers earlier in the regular season, and he has performed well in his latest stopover. Unfortunately, the Panthers will have to make due without Allen on Sunday when they face the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game.
#Panthers coach Ron Rivera tells reporters that DE Jared Allen (foot) is OUT for Sunday. Tried like crazy to go, could not make it happen
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2016
Allen broke a bone in his foot during the Panthers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional round. Without him, the Panthers will turn to Allen’s backup Kony Ealy to be the starter.
Allen had 27 tackles and two sacks for the Panthers during the regular season. His backup, Ealy, had 32 tackles and five sacks in his second season with the Panthers after being drafted by them in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He also forced three fumbles during the regular season.
The Panthers defensive line will definitely miss Allen and the intensity that he brings on every play, as well as his natural ability to get after quarterbacks, but Ealy should fill in nicely for him.