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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen is doubtful to play in the NFC Championship against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Ron Rivera on Monday night said an MRI confirmed Allen broke a bone in his foot during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 31-24 divisional round win over the Seattle Seahawks.
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After the injury, Allen played two more series and spent at least 20 minutes after the game talking to the media. But his prospects of facing Arizona aren't great.
"For the most part, it's going to be a day-by-day, and we'll see how he is at the end of the week. He will be listed as doubtful," Rivera said. "We don't expect him to be on the practice field Wednesday."
Despite initial fears Allen suffered an injury similar to the one that forced defensive tackle Star Lotulelei out of last year's playoff loss to Seattle, Rivera said it is not as serious as Star's injury.
"Still, it's likely Kony Ealy will slide back into the starting lineup," Rivera said.
"Whether Jared plays or doesn't, I still have to be ready and still be sharp," Ealy said. "I don't feel that I get the same amount of reps that I did when I started, but whatever comes my way, I'm going to take full advantage of it."
Allen, who went 10 games without a sack, managed three quarterback hurries against the Seahawks. If the Panthers feel he won't be ready to go by the end of the week, they will likely promote defensive end Wes Horton from the practice squad.
But Allen, a 12-year veteran who has never played in a Super Bowl, will spend the next few days hoping for a miracle.
"If there's a glimmer of hope that he can play, I promise you he'll probably try to play," Rivera said. "And if he can't, he's going to be around and he'll be an annoyance.
"He's going to want to be right in the middle of it, he's going to want to be part of it, he's going to do whatever he can to help us."
REPORT CARD VS. SEAHAWKS
--PASSING OFFENSE: B. Because the Panthers led 14-0 before they attempted a pass, quarterback Cam Newton was pretty much a game manager. He went 8-of-11 in each half, finishing with just 161 yards. Newton, who was sacked once, threw a perfect 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen.
--RUSHING OFFENSE: B. Running back Jonathan Stewart set the tone on the first play from scrimmage, breaking off a 59-yard run, the longest allowed by the Seahawks this season. Stewart wound up with 106 yards, the first player in 28 games to hit 100 against Seattle. Newton was held to 3 yards on 11 carries.
--PASS DEFENSE: B minus. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes in the second half, but by then it was too late. Wilson, who threw two interceptions in his previous 243 attempts, was intercepted twice on his first four attempts. The first was returned 14 yards by linebacker Luke Kuechly for the second pick-6 in Wilson's career.
--RUSH DEFENSE: A minus. Running back Marshawn Lynch managed just 20 yards on six carries in his much ballyhooed return. Seattle's early deficit cost Lynch opportunities, but he was ineffective whenever he touched the ball.
--SPECIAL TEAMS: C. The Panthers allowed rookie Tyler Lockett to return the second-half kickoff 50 yards. That, plus a 15-yard penalty on safety Colin Jones, set up the Seahawks at the Carolina 35. The Seahawks scored their first touchdown four plays after that. Later in the third quarter, the Panthers somehow allowed Seattle to successfully convert a fake punt.
--COACHING: B plus. Coach Ron Rivera came into this season 0-5 after a bye. Then he beat Seattle twice after a Carolina off week. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula was a bit too conservative in the second half. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott's aggressive game plan helped put plenty of pressure on Wilson.
