When the 2016 schedule came out, Week 7 was circled as a matchup of two of the best wide receivers in the game.
Unfortunately, while Julio Jones will take the field on Sunday, Keenan Allen will remain behind in San Diego rehabbing from his torn ACL.
While clearly disappointed, KA13 doesn't want you feeling sorry for him. The wide receiver is a couple weeks removed from surgery, feeling great and is already eyeing his return to the field in 2017.
"I'm doing well," he said. "Just rehabbing hard. Everything is feeling good and I've got no pain. I'm attacking it. I wake up and rehab for about three hours."
He paused and then laughed.
"And then I play lot of video games after that!"
Unable to take the field, Allen has been a sounding board for the other wide receivers. He flashes a broad smile and says he is "proud" of the way Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman have stepped up in his absence.
However, another player on the other side of the ball has caught his eye.
"57!" he said. "Jatavis (Brown). That boy can play! He is definitely making big time plays week in and week out. I'm proud of him, too."
Although he won't be between the white lines, Allen is eager to sit in front of his TV this weekend and watch the Bolts take on the Falcons. He believes the Thursday night win over the Broncos is the type of victory that can spur a run.
"That was a big win. That game was amazing. I still think we have a great team. The guys came out and made plays, and I think that win is one that can lead to more. We just have to get in a groove and stay consistent. If we finish off teams like we did against the Broncos, we will be solid."
While he'll cheer on the Chargers like a fan the remainder of 2016 and he remains available to give tips whenever his teammates ask, Allen's main focus is to come back as healthy as ever after playing only one half of action this season.
"This was a tough break, but it's something I couldn't control. I'm not dwelling on it. I'm not thinking about it. I'm just working to get back. I'm focused and working hard."
