Carolina Panthers rule Jared Allen out for Sunday

The big question heading into Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals has been answered. Many say that it’s not the answer the team wanted but I’m not so sure about that. The Panther have ruled defensive end Jared Allen (foot) out for the big game.

Allen suffered the injury during the Divisional Round and was held out of practice for most of this week. Then after practicing in a limited fashion on Thursday, he got the news Friday that he was out. When asked by ESPN if he could have played on Sunday, the disappointed Allen , “Absolutely.”

On Thursday, head coach Ron Rivera said that both Allen and running back Jonathan “looked pretty good,” and that Allen’s availability would be based on his pain tolerance. We know Allen has all the pain tolerance in the world yet Allen will be sidelined while Stewart is probable to play against the Cardinals.

“I don’t want him thinking he’s going to play no matter what,” Rivera said Wednesday, via ESPN.com. “I’ve got a group of guys I’ve got to get ready to play with or without him. I don’t want to give any false indications either way, because I want these guys focused in on preparing for themselves.”

From the sounds of that, Rivera wants to go in another direction and Allen’s position Sunday. To keep it 100, Allen hasn’t been gang-busters this season as in his 12 games with the team, he has two sacks. Kony Ealy, who will start in place of the veteran Sunday, has five sacks.

So Ealy is at least better while Allen is injured and Allen surely won’t be the difference in which team goes to the Super Bowl. Plus if Allen does more damage to his foot while playing in the Conference Championship Game, he would miss the Super Bowl if the Panthers go on to win.

Allen has been trying to play in a Super Bowl for 12 years now so this is a win-win for all involved.