If Jared Allen does indeed have a third-degree sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder, it’s extremely unlikely the Pro Bowl defensive end will be able to play this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Allen said today he was told the sprain was a “three or something,” meaning it’s the most serious sprain and could indicate a torn ligament. Such an injury often keeps players out for two to four weeks. Allen said that as of right now he thinks he’s listed as “out” for the game but added it’s very early in the process. “We’ll see how it plays out later on,” said Allen, who was not wearing any type of harness on the shoulder. This is the first time Allen said he has suffered a shoulder injury like this in his career.

(A word of warning: Considering the gamesmanship in the NFL, it would not be surprising if the Vikings want to create the impression Allen will not play and then have him take the field Sunday.)

Allen, who said he was injured in the first half Sunday against Houston after his shoulder hit the ground when an offensive lineman fell on him, also addressed comments made by Texans coach Gary Kubiak on Monday during his weekly radio show in Houston. Kubiak said “yes” when asked if he felt Allen made some inappropriate dives at the quarterback’s knees.

Matt Schaub could miss as much as a month after suffering an injury to his medial collateral ligament that happened in the second quarter on a low hit by Allen. Allen said he talked to Schaub after the game and dismissed Kubiak’s comments. “I just heard about [the comments] today,” Allen said. “If I hadn’t read the paper, I wouldn’t know who the hell [Kubiak] is. But people can say what they want. I’m not a dirty player. I’ve been in the league a long time, my reputation speaks for itself. I don’t ever intend to hurt people. I talked to Matt Schaub after the game and said, ‘Hey, man, how’s your knee? We’re competitors. He’s got the ball in his hand and I’m trying to take down the quarterback. I never do [things] intentionally to hurt people. But if a coach wants to spout off that I’m a dirty player because they lost the game, well, whatever.”

Schaub continued in the game after taking the hit from Allen but did not return for the second half. Allen said he was coming back on the play and slipped. “Obviously, I did not hit him late because the refs were right there, they didn’t call nothing,” Allen said. “Again, if [Kubiak] trying to pass blame for them losing, whatever.”

Asked if he found it upsetting to have Kubiak make a comment that essentially called Allen a dirty player, Allen said: “I don’t care. I don’t even know who the hell he is, so I don’t care. I worry about what Coach Childress thinks of me and what my peers in this league think of me. Schaub knows that we’re good. We were joking about it after the game. He’s like, ‘You got my knee,’ and I said, ‘Well, you guys got me back. You got my shoulder.’”

As for his injury, Allen said any determination about his status is up to Childress and the trainers. Childress, meanwhile, said he doubts Allen will be able to practice today but declined to speculate on Allen’s availability for Sunday. Childress said the Vikings have discussed whether Allen will be allowed to play if he doesn’t practice.

If Allen can’t play, Brian Robison likely would get the start in his place.

 

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