Keenan Allen was the reason why the Los Angeles Chargers offense was able to keep up with the Detroit Lions. But on his fourth third-down conversion, the veteran wide receiver was walked off the field by trainers. What do we know about the pass catcher’s injury?
Update: Allen returned to the game in the fourth quarter.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Allen went down on a 12-yard crossing route that resulted in a first down. It appeared to be an upper-body injury, possibly his right shoulder or collarbone. He was ushered to the tent after Los Angeles scored a touchdown on the very next play.
#Chargers WR Keenan Allen went down and headed to the medical tent after this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 12, 2023
Allen walked off under his own power and appeared ready to return to the game, but the touchdown on the next play complicated his status. Going to the tent made things muddier.
He returned to the game on the next drive but quickly left the field and went back to the locker room. The Chargers’ X (formerly Twitter) account noted that Allen is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Justin Hebert threw a beautiful touchdown to Jalen Guyton, but the Chargers are in trouble if Allen is unable to return. Nobody on that roster can separate against man coverage aside from Allen, so Herbert will have to play Superman as a creator if he wants the offense to keep up with the Lions.
Potential Fantasy Impact of Allen’s Injury
The Chargers’ passing game cannot afford to lose Allen but may have to rely on other pass catchers if Allen misses any time in the near future while dealing with a shoulder injury. Allen was having a monster fantasy day before sustaining the injury, with 10 receptions for 137 yards and a score against the Detroit Lions.
If Allen misses any time in the coming weeks, he will be vacating an average of 10 targets per game, which will likely be spread around to Austin Ekeler, Quentin Johnston, Guyton, and Gerald Everett. Herbert would likely get a slight bump down in fantasy value without his top receiver in the lineup.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate