A new team, a crowded receiving corps and a rookie quarterback are likely to rein in Allen's numbers in 2024, making him more of a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in PPR leagues. Allen has consistently been a good stat producer, but he's also averaged at least six catches per game in each of his past seven seasons. Now in Chicago, the 32-year-old will share the field with D.J. Moore and first-rounder Rome Odunze while catching passes from rookie No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. It's clear Allen won't have the 8.5 or more targets per game he's enjoyed in each of his last seven seasons, and it's also clear from watching him last season that he's not as explosive as he once was. With receptions his primary way of scoring Fantasy points, Allen could hit eight-year lows in Fantasy point totals, even if he's helping the Bears offense in other ways. We'd consider Allen in Round 8 in PPR drafts, Round 9-plus in non-PPR.
Bears' Keenan Allen: Hoping to play long beyond 2024
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Allen said Monday that he's "going to play as long as I can" and is willing to sign an extension with Chicago, Patrick Finley of the Chicago-Sun Times reports.
The Bears reportedly haven't held extension talks with Allen since acquiring him from the Chargers in March, which isn't exactly a surprise given that they used a first-round pick on receiver Rome Odunze six weeks later and may want to sign DJ Moore to an extension this offseason. Regardless of what happens with the contracts, No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will have one of the best wideout trios in the league, with Moore and Allen both coming off 2023 seasons with career highs for yards per game. Allen is likely looking at a big volume dip in his age-32 season after averaging a league-high 11.5 targets in his 13 games for the Chargers in 2023, but he doesn't seem to be thinking about retirement just yet, instead perhaps counting on another productive season and a big fourth contract. He's expected to be the Bears' slot receiver in three-wide formations and their "Z" receiver in two-wide looks.
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Bears' Keenan Allen: Part of loaded offense in Chicago
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Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze all worked out with new Bears QB Caleb Williams in April, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
Williams and Odunze weren't on the team at the time, though in Williams' case everyone knew he'd be going to Chicago with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 Draft. The Bears then took Odunze eight picks later, completing a fearsome WR trio with Allen and Moore. It's a situation that will make it nearly impossible for Allen to match his target volume from his years in San Diego and Los Angeles, even if Odunze needs some time to adjust to the pro game. Allen celebrated his 32nd birthday during the draft and is entering the final year of his contract, with GM Ryan Poles having said in March that he expected the veteran WR to sign an extension at some point. It's unclear if the Odunze selection changes the expectation for Allen to sign a multi-year deal, as the Bears have enough cap flexibility to keep all three WRs for the next few seasons if that's what they choose to prioritize.
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Bears' Keenan Allen: Could sign extension this offseason
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GM Ryan Poles said Monday that he thinks Allen will sign an extension with the Bears "down the road" after the team handles other contracts, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Poles seems to be suggesting that the Bears first want to work out extensions for players that have been with the team longer, though they already took care of two big ones in DE Montez Sweat (November) and CB Jaylon Johnson (March). Allen's new partner at wide receiver might be next in line, as DJ Moore's contract has two more seasons and $32.1 million but nothing guaranteed. Allen has one year and $23.1 million remaining, with the large sum explaining why the Chargers traded him for a mere fourth-round pick on the heels of a 2023 campaign in which he had career highs of 95.6 receiving yards and 21.5 PPR points per game (both numbers ranking Top 4 among all WRs). Allen missed the final four games with a heel injury and will turn 32 in April, but there's been no report of offseason surgery or any complications, so he should be a huge asset in the short term for presumed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
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Bears' Keenan Allen: Dealt to Bears
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Allen (heel) was traded from the Chargers to the Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick Thursday, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.
Allen has been a key figure in the Chargers offense for the last 11 seasons, but salary cap problems and a new coaching staff and front office have caused the team to move on. Despite entering his age-32 season, Allen has shown few signs of decline, as he racked up 150 targets across only 13 games in 2023. He turned that into 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns while also tallying a career-best 19 receptions of at least 20 yards. Allen will face some questions on his new team, however, as DJ Moore is the established top pass catcher in the offense, meaning Allen could lose out on some of his prolific target volume. While the Bears are expected to draft Caleb Williams with the top overall pick, it's also still unclear who will be under center in Week 1.
Allen (heel) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Allen will miss a fourth consecutive game to end the season. It's an unfortunate finish to an otherwise excellent campaign from the veteran wide receiver, who finishes with 108 catches on 150 targets for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. Allen has one more year remaining on his contract, but there is a potential out in his deal this offseason, so it's possible that his tenure with the Chargers will come to an end after 11 seasons.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Still not practicing
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Allen (heel) didn't practice Thursday.
Allen, who last suited up Week 14, also missed Wednesday's practice and doesn't seem especially likely to play in his team's season finale Sunday against the Chiefs with the Chargers eliminated from playoff contention. If Allen remains sidelined this weekend, Joshua Palmer could lead the Los Angeles WR corps versus Kansas City if he's able to progress fully through the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Week 18 action.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Allen (heel) didn't practice Wednesday.
Allen has missed the last three games, and the Chargers wouldn't seem to have much incentive to rush him back into action for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs if he's anything less than 100 percent healthy. Though Allen remained sidelined Wednesday, the Chargers' receiving corps got a boost with Joshua Palmer (concussion) practicing in a limited fashion after sitting out the Week 17 loss to the Broncos.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Won't play Sunday
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Allen (heel) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
The same applies to Joshua Palmer (concussion), which sets the stage for Quentin Johnston, Alex Erickson, Jalen Guyton and Derius Davis to lead the Chargers' Week 17 WR corps. Allen now will target a potential return to action in the team's season finale against the Chiefs.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Sits out another practice
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Allen (heel) didn't take part in Friday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Allen is tending to a heel injury for a third consecutive week, a span in which he hasn't been able to log any on-field work. Ultimately, the Chargers may make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game at Denver as soon as they post their final Week 17 injury report later Friday. If Allen logs a third straight absence this weekend and fellow wide receiver Joshua Palmer (concussion) joins him on the sideline, L.A. may be down to Quentin Johnston, Alex Erickson, Jalen Guyton and Derius Davis as its top options at the position.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Still not practicing
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Allen (heel) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Popper notes that Allen was spotted taking part in agility work and running off to the side with trainers during the open portion of Thursday's practice, but the veteran wideout didn't mix into drills. Allen hasn't logged any practice reps since making his last appearance in the Chargers' Week 14 loss to the Broncos, and at this stage, he appears to be trending toward missing a third straight game this Sunday in a rematch with Denver.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Misses practice again
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Allen (heel) isn't practicing Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Allen was spotted working on the side with a trainer Tuesday but still hasn't officially participated in practice in any capacity since Week 14. He thus appears uncertain for Saturday's game against Buffalo, with the Chargers' lack of playoff hopes potentially being a factor in whether the team decides to make him active or inactive for the contest.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: No practice Tuesday
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Allen (heel) officially didn't practice Tuesday.
He was seen working on the side with a team trainer earlier Tuesday, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, so the wide receiver's listing on the Chargers' first Week 16 injury report was of great interest. However, Allen maintained his lack of activity from last week, giving him just two more chances to mix into drills ahead of Saturday's game against the Bills.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Seen at practice Tuesday
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Allen (heel) was spotted working with a team trainer on the side at Tuesday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Whether or not Allen mixes into drills to kick off Week 16 prep remains to be seen, but he was estimated as a non-participant on all three injury reports last week due to a heel issue before the Chargers ruled him out ahead of last Thursday's game at Las Vegas. Tuesday's practice report will reveal if the 11-year pro was able to handle any work.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Won't face Raiders
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Allen (heel) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Raiders.
Fifth-year signal-caller Easton Stick will be making his first NFL start after the Chargers placed Justin Herbert (finger) on injured reserve earlier this week, but Stick won't have the Chargers' top pass catcher at his disposal after Allen was unable to shake the heel injury ahead of Thursday's contest. In Allen's absence, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Alex Erickson and Jalen Guyton are expected to serve as the Chargers' top options at receiver this week. Allen will target a potential return to action Dec. 23 against the Bills in Week 16.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Remains idle for practice
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Allen (heel) was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Following Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos, the Chargers didn't put in any on-field work Monday, but Allen was estimated as a non-participant while he manages a heel issue. The team held only a light walk-through session Tuesday, but Allen once again remained a spectator. He'll have one more opportunity to take some practice reps this week before Thursday's game against the Raiders. Even if Allen is able to play without restrictions to his snap count, his fantasy stock has taken a hit after quarterback Justin Herbert was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Easton Stick, who has made just two appearances and zero starts in his five-year professional career, will step in as the starting quarterback beginning with Thursday's game.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Opens week with DNP on estimate
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Allen (heel) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.
Allen caught six passes in Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos, setting a new personal best and franchise record with 108 receptions on the season, but he emerged from the game nursing a heel injury. The veteran wide receiver still could rejoin his teammates when they begin holding actual practices Tuesday, but Allen's status bears monitoring on a short week before Thursday's road game in Las Vegas. Quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) was unsurprisingly listed as a non-participant as well Monday and is expected to miss Thursday's game due to a fractured finger on his throwing hand, so if Allen is able to play Thursday, he'll likely be catching passes from backup Easton Stick.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Contrarian DFS Play (WR Preview)
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The top contrarian play last week was Nico Collins, let's hope we can repeat that. Allen completely busted last week but we're talking about a guy who already has three 30-point outbursts this season and he's likely to be lower rostered than he should be.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Paces passing attack once again
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Allen caught five of his nine targets for 58 yards in the 6-0 win over the Patriots on Sunday.
Allen didn't seem to show any lingering issues from the quadriceps injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the rainy and slippery conditions also seemed to dampen Los Angeles' offense overall. With five games still to go, the 11-year veteran should easily surpass his career high in receptions (106) and could also be poised to set career-high marks in receiving yards (1,393), touchdowns (eight) and targets (159).
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Suits up Sunday
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Allen (quadriceps) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Allen logged a limited session to close the week. Meanwhile, per ESPN.com, the wideout downplayed his quadriceps issue Friday, noting "this is light, honestly...thigh contusion is like a solid nick. That's considered not bad." With his active status against the 2-9 Patriots confirmed, Allen should maintain his high-volume role in the Chargers offense Sunday, assuming no in-game limitations or setbacks. To date, the veteran wide receiver has recorded a league-high 97 catches (on 129 targets) for 1,117 yards and seven TDs through 11 contests.
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Chargers' Keenan Allen: Expected to play vs. Patriots
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Allen (quadricep) is expected to suit up for Sunday's game against New England, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Allen is officially listed as questionable due to a quad issue, but after playing through a lingering shoulder injury over the past two games, the wideout looks like he'll once again be able to suit up despite tending to another health concern. The veteran wideout is the lynchpin of Los Angeles' passing game, making his availability a key factor for Justin Herbert's fantasy prospects. Official word on Allen's status will arrive when the Chargers release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
