The first NFL Sunday of the 2016-17 regular season is finally upon us, and while the season is just beginning for most players, it might already be over for San Diego Chargers wide reciever Keenan Allen.
Allen, who missed the majority of last season due to a lacerated kidney, went down early in the season opener against the Kansas City chiefs with an apparent injury to his right knee. It was clear from the outset that Allen’s injury was significant, and this was only compounded when cameras caught Allen wiping away tears as he was carted off the field.
A very emotional Keenan Allen is being carted off the field in Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/vgQRiH5L2V
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 11, 2016
It is still too early to determine the full extent of the injury, but reports indicate San Diego fears the worst.
Based on initial tests, #Chargers believe WR Keenan Allen has suffered a major knee injury. They suspect an ACL tear. Will have more tests
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2016
San Diego Head Coach Mike McCoy acknowledged the speculation surrounding the star wide receiver’s injury, but said there is no official announcement yet. The team will hold off until the official test results are in.
Chargers HC Mike McCoy acknowledges there's "speculation" that WR Keenan Allen tore his ACL, but team wants to run further tests.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2016
This serves as a particularly rough blow the Chargers. Allen exited the game with his team holding 21-3 lead, but adding insult to injury, the Chiefs came all the way back to win, 33-27. However, the damage will certainly extend beyond this game. Allen seemed ready for a big year. He entered the season fully healthy, and at age 24, poised to finally build on his standout rookie campaign in 2013.
The Chargers were already facing dismal prognostications heading into the year, and expectations for Phillip Rivers and company will only lower from here.
Allen’s injury was the most significant from Sunday’s early slate of games, but he was not the only notable player to go down. Texans linebacker Brian Cushing suffered a MCL tear in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup with the Bears. Reports indicate this will keep him sidelined for the next six weeks, although he will not need surgery at this time.
#Texans LB Brian Cushing, carted off with a knee injury, is out 6 weeks with a torn MCL, source said. No surgery.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2016
Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III also suffered a sprained shoulder on Sunday, but he believes he will be ready to play next week.
#Browns QB RG3 said he sprained left shoulder, thinks he'll be fine to play next Sunday
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) September 11, 2016
[Yahoo!]
