Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen is doubtful to play in the NFC Championship against the Cardinals.

Coach Ron Rivera on Monday night said an MRI confirmed Allen broke a bone in his foot during the fourth quarter of Sunday's divisional round win over the Seahawks. After suffering the injury, Allen played two more series and spent at least 20 minutes after the game talking to the media. But his prospects of facing Arizona aren't great.

"For the most part, it's going to be a day-by-day, and we'll see how he is at the end of the week. He will be listed as doubtful," Rivera said. "We don't expect him to be on the practice field Wednesday."

Despite initial fears Allen suffered a similar injury that forced defensive tackle Star Lotuelelei out of last year's playoff loss to Seattle, Rivera said, "It's not as bad as Star's." Still, it's likely Kony Ealy will slide back into the starting lineup. 

"Whether Jared plays or doesn't, I still have to be ready and still be sharp," Ealy said. "I don't feel that I get the same amount of reps that I did when I started, but whatever comes my way, I'm going to take full advantage of it."

Allen, who has gone 10 games without a sack, did total three quarterback hurries against the Seahawks. If the Panthers feel he won't be ready to go by the end of the week, they'll likely promote defensive end Wes Horton from the practice squad.

But Allen, a 12-year veteran who's never played in a Super Bowl, will spend the next few days hoping for a miracle.

"If there's a glimmer of hope that he can play, I promise you he'll probably try to play," Rivera said. "And if he can't, he's going to be around and he'll be an annoyance.

"He's going to want to be right in the middle of it, he's going to want to be part of it, he's going to do whatever he can to help us."