As he tends to do whenever media is allowed into the Carolina Panthers' locker room, defensive end Jared Allen on Sunday night chatted with any reporter who wanted a word. But while waves of reporters passed through, he never shared what must have been weighing on him heaviest.

Allen has never played in a Super Bowl in his 12-year career. Now with the Panthers 60 minutes away from booking a trip to Santa Clara, he may not have a chance to help get them there.

According to a league source, Allen fractured a bone in his foot against the Seahawks, an injury that will likely require surgery. There's a chance he could try to play through it — as NFL Media's Ian Rapoport hinted — but this is something that could end his season.

If that's the case, it'd be more of a shame for Allen than a huge problem for the Panthers. Kony Ealy would slide into the starting lineup against the Cardinals and Wes Horton could be called up from the practice squad.

Because this may be his final NFL season, Allen will look for any solution that could keep him on the field. According to Rapoport, that includes a Monday visit with Panthers' team doctor and famed foot surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson.

Allen, who came to Carolina a trade from Chicago in late September, hasn't had a sack in his past 10 games. It's unclear when he suffered his injury, but he was in on the Seahawks' final drive and finished with three quarterback hurries.