On Tuesday the Chargers announced second-year wide receiver Keenan Allen will not play against the Niners this weekend.
Allen broke his collarbone and injured his ankle in Sunday's home loss to Denver. The team could still place him on season-ending injured reserve. That may indeed be the strategy if the Bolts lose at San Francisco, which would eliminate them from playoff contention with one game left on the schedule.
Quarterback Philip Rivers said after practice on Thursday that losing Allen would be a big blow to the offense, "There's no doubt it hurts, we'll miss him but I do have confidence in the bigger role Jerry (Attaochu) will have and where Dontrelle (Inman) mixes in." Rivers added, "Eddie (Royal) and Malcom (Floyd) will have to pick up the slack. It does affect us no doubt, but we feel good with the four guys we have."
Allen leads the Chargers in receptions (77) and receiving yards (783).
