Jared Allen Hoping to Play with Broken Foot

If you ever wonder just how important it is for a man who’s done it all to play in a Super Bowl, look no further than Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen.

The twelve-year veteran will participate in his team’s final practice session before the NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals. He will do so with a broken bone in his foot in an attempt to convince coaches he’s good to go.

Allen is reportedly dealing with a small but very painful injury, which has forced head coach Ron Rivera to label his pass rusher as “doubtful” all week. Despite Allen’s admirable desire to play, though, Rivera’s priority must be getting the best combination of defensive linemen on the field against an Arizona offense that has been unwavering in the face of exotic blitzes all year.

“The worst thing you want to do is put a guy out there and all of a sudden on the very first play he gets hurt again,” Rivera explained. “Now you’re down to three rushing ends. Now what do you do? So I have got to be convinced. I’ve got to be for sure. At the same time, I know he’s trying to get back and get himself ready to go.”

If Allen can’t start, Kony Ealy and Mario Addison are expected to pick up the slack, joining Kawann Short, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis as part of a dangerous front seven out to disrupt Carson Palmer’s timing all night.

Since being traded over from the Bears to the Panthers mid-season, Allen has racked up only two sacks.

A lack of sexy stats aside, he has still been useful as a situational rusher, creating disruption along the line and allowing his more explosive teammates to make plays. His fun, relaxed demeanour has also reportedly meshed well with the Panthers’ youthful attitude, drawing the ire of many football traditionalists along the way.