AP

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has been listed on the injury report the last few weeks with a shoulder injury, but hasn’t missed any practices or games.

The injury is going to require some attention at some point, though. Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Allen has a torn labrum in his shoulder, which will require surgery after the season comes to an end. There’s no expectation that Allen will miss any time unless the injury gets worse in the coming weeks.

Allen got off to a great start this season, but his play hasn’t been quite as strong in the last few weeks. He has seven sacks, none in the last three weeks, after dropping quarterbacks 22 times last year. The shoulder could explain why Allen’s production has dropped, although the Vikings will need him as close to his best as possible the rest of the way.

They face the Packers Sunday in a game they really need to win if they’re going to make the playoffs this season. Getting Allen in the face of Aaron Rodgers would be a good way to make that happen.