Keenan Allen is an integral part of the LA Chargers and is one of the best receivers in the entire league. However, for some time at the beginning of his career, it did not appear that he was going to be on that path.
Allen could not escape the injury bug early in his career and has picked up the injury-bug moniker every since. Even if he has stayed mostly healthy throughout the rest of his career, the early injuries have created this narrative that he cannot stay on the field.
The wideout is the longest-tenured player on the LA Chargers and Keenan Allen’s injury history may not be as long as some people think it is. However, with football being a grueling sport, being mostly healthy in recent years does not guarantee anything.
Keenan Allen injury update:
The nagging injuries that impacted Keenan Allen’s playing time are having no impact on his availability heading into the 2021 season. Allen has been a full participant in all of the practices that the Bolts have held.
Keenan Allen injury history:
From the most recent injury dating back to his time in college, here is the list of all the different injuries that Keenan Allen has sustained throughout his career. It should be noted that we are only included injuries that impacted whether or not he played. If he was listed questionable then played it is not on the list.
Keenan Allen hamstring injury, December 2020
Keenan Allen tweaked his hamstring prior to Week 15 of the 2020 season against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Allen still played in the game and had a small role, catching just one pass. He did not miss that game, but he did miss the following week against the Denver Broncos because of the hamstring injury.
Allen also missed the last game of the 2020 season but that was because he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It was not injury-related.
Keenan Allen back spasms, October 2020
After catching a touchdown pass in a Monday Night Football showdown against the New Orleans Saints, Keenan Allen suffered back spasms and missed the rest of the game. It was the first time that Allen had dealt with an injury serious enough for him to miss time in four years.
Keenan Allen torn ACL, September 2016
Keenan Allen torched the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of Week 1 of the 2016 season. The injury occurred late in the second quarter and the Chargers were not the same for the rest of the game, nor the season.
The Chiefs came back despite having a big halftime deficit and the Chargers put together a disappointing 5-11 record. Allen would not return until the 2017 season.
Keenan Allen lacerated kidney, November 2015
On November 1, 2015, Allen dove for a pass against the Baltimore Ravens and it was the most painful diving catch attempt of his career. Allen suffered a lacerated kidney on the dive and was forced to miss the rest of the 2015 season after undergoing surgery.
Keenan Allen broken collarbone, December 2014
Keenan Allen suffered a broken right collarbone against the Denver Broncos in Week 15 of the 2014 season. Allen only missed two games, as there were only two more games to be played, but the injury would have required more time off if it happened earlier.
Keenan Allen PCL strain, October 2012
In his junior season with the Cal Bears, Allen suffered a PCL strain that prematurely ended his college career. Allen declared for the draft but was unable to participate in the NFL Combine because of the injury.
In retrospect, that might have been a blessing for the LA Chargers, as one of the most talented college receivers in the country fell to the third round.