The LA Chargers have essentially been without Keenan Allen all season. Allen pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first half of Week 1's win over the Las Vegas Raiders and has not been seen since. Allen was prepping to return in Week 4 against the Houston Texans but reaggravated the injury, delaying his healing process.
Allen did not play this past week on Monday Night Football and the messaging was that Allen was playing it safe so he could return at 100% the following week. Every Chargers fan started counting down the days until they could see Allen back in action on the field.
However, for the third or fourth time during this injury, the story has changed. While Allen and the team's messaging made it seem like he would definitely return in Week 7, that is no longer the case following the Bolts' Week 6 win over the Broncos.
Keenan Allen on if he might want to take one more game to let hamstring heal, with bye in Week 8: "Yeah, most definitely. It's going to be a thought process going into it. Definitely want to play it the smartest way, and if that's the best thing, then that's what it will be."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 19, 2022
Of course, nothing is set in stone and if Allen does not feel like he is going to be 100% then it makes more sense for the long-term success of the team that he sits it out, gets through the bye, and returns completely healthy in Week 9.
The Chargers will be in serious receiver trouble in Week 7 if Keenan Allen doesn't play.
Keenan Allen is not the only Chargers wide receiver that might not play in Week 7 against the Seahawks. Josh Palmer was also added to concussion protocol on Wednesday's injury report. With Palmer also suffering a concussion in the preseason, it is highly unlikely that he plays before the bye.
This would leave the Chargers with Mike Williams, DeAndre Carter and a bunch of practice squad receivers. The Bolts could potentially make a trade to bolster the wide receiver room, but it likely would not help as soon as Week 7.
As good as Williams is, that is a problem. Teams are going to be able to hone in on Williams and even double-team him when there are no other threats on the field. That is going to really hinder the passing game and the offense as a whole.
The tight end position is banged up as well. Donald Parham was also put in concussion protocol and may not play in Week 7.
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Allen should not risk suffering a worse injury for a Week 7 game as it is important that he and the team have a long-term mindset with this injury. However, that does not change the fact that it could be ugly vs. Seattle.