NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers signals first down after catching a pass during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers may have to face one of the NFL’s best defenses on Sunday without No. 1 wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Neither the Los Angeles Chargers nor Chicago Bears expected to be in their respective positions at this mid-point in the 2019 NFL season. Both teams had aspirations of deep playoff runs after being among the league’s best teams in 2018. But both the Chargers and Bears have losing record this season, with the Bears mulling the future of their maligned quarterback and the Chargers wondering if it’s time for them to start rebuilding.
One player who could make the difference for the Chargers may not be able to play on Sunday. Star wide receiver Keenan Allen looks like a true game-time decision after suffering a hamstring injury during the practice week, making him questionable.
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn stated that if Allen were to play, his snaps would be limited. The Los Angeles offense has already disappointed this season, ranking 23rd in points per game, so missing Allen could be a disaster against a Bears pass defense that is still a top-five unit.
If Allen is unable to play, that means Geremy Davis and Andre Patton will have to step up behind Mike Williams, who would become Philip Rivers’ top target. That’s a tall order, especially since Allen’s sure-fire hands and elite route-running ability make him one of the breadwinners in the Chargers offense.
The Chargers need to find their footing soon at 2-5, because a couple of more losses would force them to throw in the towel on the rest of the season. Allen’s long-term health shouldn’t be risked, but the Chargers may feel forced to play arguably their best skill position player on Sunday due to their struggles this season.