After one of his injured players returns to practice, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera regularly tells reporters that it's tough to judge a guy's recovery that day. Instead, Rivera reminds, the most important indicator is the next morning.
That makes Friday a big day for defensive end Jared Allen.
"If I had to guess, if he comes up sore tomorrow, it'll be doubtful and if he doesn't, he'll be questionable," Rivera said.
Allen was limited, but he returned to practice Thursday, four days after breaking a bone in his right foot against Seattle. Earlier this week, Rivera called Allen doubtful to face Arizona in the NFC Championship, but no one expected him to easily accept his probable fate.
The 12-year veteran has never been to a Super Bowl, and with the Panthers one win away from getting there, Allen's trying to convince coaches he can help. If Rivera ultimately decides he can't, Kony Ealy will slide into the starting lineup and Ryan Delaire will be active for just the second time in the Panthers' past six games.
Allen, who's missed just three games because of injury in his career, has gone 10 games without a sack, but the Panthers have credited him with nine quarterback pressures over his past four games.
THURSDAY'S INJURY REPORTS
Carolina Panthers
Limited
RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) — He's good to go.
DE Jared Allen (foot)
Full
RB Fozzy Whittaker (ankle) — Remains on pace to play.
DT Dwan Edwards (foot)
Arizona Cardinals
Limited
CB Justin Bethel (ankle)
WR John Brown (shoulder)
RB David Johnson (toe)
DT Josh Mauro (calf)
DT Frostee Rucker (ankle)
Full
LB Markus Golden (knee)
QB Carson Palmer (finger)