Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 50

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has been carted off the field late in the second quarter of their game against the Chiefs with what appears to be a serious right knee injury.

Allen was making a cut toward the sideline on a passing route when he went down. He ripped off his helmet as trainers began tending to him, and was helped into the back of a cart and taken off the field.

There was no immediate word on the extent of the injury. Allen, who missed the last eight games a year ago with a lacerated kidney, had six catches for 63 yards before he was hurt. If serious, it would obviously be huge blow to the Chargers offense as well as QB Philip Rivers. We'll continue to follow.

San Diego Fanfest spectators wondered why speedy newcomer Travis Benjamin sat out all drills, and why Keenan Allen, the No. 1 receiver, sat on the bench with a shoe off as trainer James Collins checked on both players.

HC Mike McCoy said Allen was limited to solo drills, due to having his foot stepped on Friday. “He’s fine,” the coach said.

McCoy didn’t specify Benjamin’s situation but said generally that he’ll rest players on certain days.

So once again, it was Tyrell Williams getting to take advantage. Williams had a 28-yard catch which QB Philip Rivers described as the top highlight for the first team offense. Williams is having a good camp and could be in line for more playing time with Stevie Johnson's injury. The story said Williams is of the Michael Floyd mold.

The hardest spot to fill on the roster? The No. 5 receiver position behind Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell.

A case can be made for Keshawn Martin (who signed a contract extension in January), Aaron Dobson (who is healthy), Chris Harper or DeAndre Carter. Or even Nate Washington.

The author didn't really say his opinion on who could emerge in that spot, but did say Carter and Harper can be placed on the practice squad while Dobson and Martin cannot. The author did say Carter is in the Edelman/Amendola mold which could provide some insurance since both are currently hurt.

Tyrell Williams, a second-year pro, has seen extra work with the first-team offense in Stevie Johnson's absence.

Williams also worked heavily with the ones when a hamstring injury limited Travis Benjamin this spring. Benjamin seems back to full strength this training camp, running at full speed opposite Keenan Allen.

This falls right in line with news items we had yesterday right after Johnson went down. Williams is a bit of an unknown but has been taking advantage of injuries as far back as spring. The story also mentioned Dontrelle Inman as seeing plenty of wide-receiver reps in the early going of camp.

Keenan Allen got open fast and snatched passes, seven months after a lacerated kidney ended his season. If health allows, the 24-year-old looks on the verge of commanding a huge contract.

"Keenan Allen is bigger than I thought," said Chargers newcomer Dwight Lowery, a safety in his ninth season.

Allen racked up 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, so he was on pace for a 134-1550-8 season prior to lacerating his kidney. At the halfway mark, he was the #7 receiver in standard formats and #4 in PPR. He garnered 11.1 targets per game, but that number could decline a bit since Antonio Gates sat out four of those games. However, Allen saw 30 targets in three games with Gates, and in the third game (five targets), he only played 60% of the snaps due to the injured kidney. Given his usage, the fourth-year receiver a threat to finish as a WR1 in 2016.

The day has arrived when Keenan Allen rejoins teammates for the start of the Chargers’ voluntary workout program. Phase one of a nine-week regimen features two weeks of strength and conditioning. Allen will be a full participant Monday, the injury that ended a banner season mid-breath well behind him.

He lacerated his kidney Nov. 1 on that touchdown in Baltimore.

The ailment ended his season but not before eight games from which he can build.

“Just try to dominate,” Allen said, “knowing that I can dominate the league like I did last year for those eight games. Hopefully, I can come back and do that for a full 16. … I feel 100 percent. I have no aches, no pains. The kidney healed up really well. I’ve just been working. Ready.”

Allen racked up 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, so he was on pace for a 134-1550-8 season prior to lacerating his kidney. At the halfway mark, he was the #7 receiver in standard formats and #4 in PPR. He garnered 11.1 targets per game, but that number could decline a bit since Antonio Gates sat out four of those games. However, Allen saw 30 targets in three games with Gates, and in the third game (five targets), he only played 60% of the snaps due to the injured kidney. Given his usage, the fourth-year receiver a threat to finish as a WR1 in 2016.