Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen landed hard on his right side and hip early in Thursday night’s game after attempting to make a catch in the end zone.

Allen went to the medical tent, returned for one play but pulled up and knelt on the ground. He is reportedly back on the sideline but had yet to return to play as of the fourth quarter.


He is likely done for the night, and it will be difficult for him to play next week.

By video, Allen suffered a hip pointer (contusion and hematoma at the iliac crest).

A hip pointer is a very painful injury that stiffens and swells quickly. It is difficult to run even straight ahead, as many muscles originate off the hip/pelvis bone here and any contraction causes pain.


Sometimes, an injection can help and enable a return, but that is not always the case.

This was somewhat reminiscent of the 2015 play when Allen made a touchdown catch in a game against Baltimore, which was the last play of his seasons as he lacerated his kidney.

I do not expect any organ damage here.


Allen should be back before the end of the season and certainly for the playoffs.

Whether he plays next week depends on whether his progression is like that of typical hip pointers. If so, he will almost certainly not play in that important Dec. 22 match-up against Baltimore.