Panthers’ Allen is out
CHARLOTTE — So much for the miraculous return of Jared Allen in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers’ defensive end, who fractured his right foot in last Sunday’s divisional round win over the Seahawks, was ruled out by coach Ron Rivera. The decision did not please Allen, who was desperately hoping to suit up against the Arizona Cardinals and power the Panthers to the Super Bowl.
“I do what I do to get ready,” he said. “Coach’s decision. I’ve got to live with it and support my guys, be the best cheerleader I can be this week.”
The move wasn’t a surprise, though, because Rivera had seemed skeptical all week regarding Allen’s chances of playing. Allen had gone through a limited session on Thursday, but even after that, Rivera had characterized his chances of playing as doubtful.
Rivera hoped to see Allen practice on Friday, then make a decision. But because the Panthers had to work out in a snow and ice storm, Allen was held out, sealing his fate.
“He’s very disappointed,” Rivera said. “He took it hard.”
That’s because Allen firmly believed he would be able to play. He insisted that he could do no further damage to his foot.
“Broke is broke,” he said.
With Allen out, second-year defensive end Kony Ealy will start and rookie Ryan DeLaire will be active.
MARKED MAN
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson rebounded from a down 2014 with a dominant 2015 campaign, and he was rarely attacked by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Cards’ divisional-round victory.
But don’t expect the Panthers to shy away from targeting Peterson, said Rivera.
“We’re going to go with what we do,” Rivera said. “You know where he is but at the same time you do what you do. He (Peterson) is a talented guy, one of the elite corners in the game, but you do what you do.”