Panthers defensive end Jared Allen has a broken bone in his foot and a bug in his butt. Allen believes he can play despite the injury, and he’s not happy about the decision to deactivate him for the NFC title game.
“Not happy, plain and simple. I’m ready to rock,” Allen said Friday, via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “Coach’s decision, gotta live with it.”
Allen believes he would be able to play despite the injury.
“A hundred percent,” Allen said. “But it’s coach’s call. I respect coach, so I’ve got to respect his decision. It is what it is.”
If the concern is risk of further injury, Allen isn’t worried about that.
“Broke is broke,” Allen said. “That’s all questions for the doc. I just know I do what I do, get ready, coach’s decision. He made a decision. I’ve got to live with it and support my guys and be the best cheerleader I can be this week.”
If the Panthers win, Allen will have two more weeks to recover from the injury before what would be the first Super Bowl appearance of Allen’s career.