Jared Allen, Thomas Davis Injury Updates

Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen has looked like an excellent signing thus far, as he’s been wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks with regularity. The veteran pass rusher still has it in him, and there’s never been any doubt that he still has the ability to finish plays off for sacks on the stat sheet after pulling 11.5 more sacks last year in his final season with the Minnesota Vikings. This year, Allen has done a great job of putting consistent pressure on the quarterback, and he currently has 11 tackles and a forced fumble, even if he still hasn’t notched a sack.

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However, the Bears will have to play without Allen today in a huge rivalry battle with the Green Bay Packers, as the 32-year-old DE is inactive with an unspecified illness. Allen had issues practicing this week, and we can only hope he recovers swiftly and fully. With Willie Young and Lamarr Houston as fellow big DE signings in the offseason, the Bears should still bring plenty of heat on Aaron Rodgers, who has a favorable safety matchup to make up for the imbalance in the trenches, even with Allen ruled out. Allen’s a tough guy, so you can only imagine what he’s going through.

Another tough defensive standout has been ruled out today, as the Carolina Panthers won’t have star outside linebacker Thomas Davis today against Steve Smith and the Baltimore Ravens. Davis was listed questionable after suffering hip and hamstring injuries, but his positive practice status made it look like he would be able to suit up. That isn’t the case, but the Panthers secondary is still a bigger worry than the front seven even without Davis.