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| Vikings DE Jared Allen will be returning to his normal side on the right side of the line after a not so auspicious performance at left end. (US Presswire) |
Last season DE Jared Allen filled in at long snapper when LS Cullen Loeffler went down with a broken bone in his back. Last week the versatile lineman was on the move again, playing left defensive end, but that should be short-lived as well.
Playing against the 49ers, Allen began experiencing neck spasms and came out of the game. He couldn’t turn his neck to the left, so the Vikings tried him at left defensive end since he could turn to the right. Soon he was back at right end, and that is likely where he will remain against the Lions this week.
“I felt a little bit like a fish out of water,” said Allen. “I forget how to play that side. That used to be the only side I played before I got to the NFL. It was cool. Just to be able to put it on tape for (teams) to see I can play right and left side. But I prefer my right side.”
Allen lasted two plays before he came back out of the game -- and it wasn’t long before he was lobbying to get back in it. With the Vikings up by two scores, he said it was an opportune time for a pass rusher to be going after the quarterback.
“I already had some things going on the (right) side and rather than put two people out of position, I just went back over there and just changed my stance a little,” said Allen.
On Friday morning, Allen looked to be participating in the portion of practice open to the media, and he feels he will be ready to go on Sunday.
“It’s good,” he said of his neck. “A lot better. It’s one of those things like waking up on the wrong side of the pillow. It knotted up and locked up. It wouldn’t go down. But I did all my treatment this week and I am ready to roll.”
For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSVikings.
