Jared Allen hasn’t played in an NFC Championship game since the 2009 season, when he and the Vikings came within a Brett Favre interception of going to the Super Bowl.
Allen hasn’t been even close to the Super Bowl since then – that is, until this year when Chicago traded the former Viking to Carolina, where Allen found himself right in the thick of it again.
That is, until he broke a bone in his foot last Sunday in Carolina’s 31-24 victory over Seattle.
On Friday, Panthers coach Ron Rivera ruled Allen out for the NFC Championship game against Arizona. The Associated Press notes that Allen expressed disappointment about the decision, adding that he felt healthy enough to play.
Jared Allen on not playing: "Not happy, plain and simple. I'm ready to rock. Coach's decision, gotta live with it."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2016
Rivera said early in the week that Allen was doubtful to play against the Cardinals, but he was able to practice on Thursday. Not playing on Sunday will give Allen two additional weeks to get ready for the Super Bowl – should the Panthers win.
Ron Rivera said it was a tough decision to rule Jared Allen out. Allen wanted to go. Team protecting him from himself. Hoping for SB.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 22, 2016
According to Pro Football Talk, Kony Ealy will start in Allen’s place. The Panthers second round pick in 2014 started nine games and played in all 16 this season. He has 32 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles.
