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Breaking News: Keenan Allen out for Game this week agains UW ... and possibly for longer

This is a crippling blow to the already demoralized Cal Golden Bears, but Keenan Allen has a PCL tear.

Jason O. Watson

News surfaced yesterday that Cal receiver, Keenan Allen, was seriously hurt in an onside kick against Utah last week. The University of California failed to answer any questions, though it never denied the allegations of Allen's injury either. There had been speculation all over the place that Allen might have asked to be put on the IR just to preserve his draft status ... but that one has been dismissed by most Cal fans.

However, lots of people were questioning the veracity of this report from the start. If you look at the replay, there appears to be no injury to Allen whatsoever. He gets up after the play and runs of the field without so much as a limp. So that begs the question ... what happened? Well, Kevin Smith hurt his knee on a cut with nobody around, and Deontae Cooper hurt his knee in a non-contact drill, and then didn't even realize he was injured until much later. What happened around Keenan Allen's injury is completely conjecture. However, here are the details.

Dan Greenspan went to Memorial Stadium this morning with the intention of getting to the "bottom" of this. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>While my colleagues are all across the Bay, I'm here at Memorial Stadium to try and get an answer on Keenan Allen's status.</p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264045224664371200" data-datetime="2012-11-01T16:44:21+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

While there, he heard from none other then Mr. Tedford following Cal's morning practice: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Keenan Allen has PCL injury, is looking at two-three week recovery, <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a> head coach Jeff Tedford says.</p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264051187261792257" data-datetime="2012-11-01T17:08:03+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

As far as the severity of the injury ... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>On scale of 1-3, three being worst, Allen has grade "1.5" PCL injury, Tedford says. Moving around fine, but can't run routes. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a></p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264054581774917633" data-datetime="2012-11-01T17:21:32+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

Clearly, Mr. Tedford has Allen's best interests at heart: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Tedford won't rule Allen out for season yet, but "won't do anything to jeopardize his health." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a></p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264053117191090176" data-datetime="2012-11-01T17:15:43+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

So, that means some other wide receivers will be getting some significant playing time. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Freshman WR Darius Powe to see increased reps in Allen's absence. Not yet decided if Powe or Bryce Treggs (ankle) will start. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a></p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264055043907518464" data-datetime="2012-11-01T17:23:23+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

If you were wondering how the other wideouts are feeling: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>OC Jim Michalczik says Powe has developed well during course of season, young guys are embracing challenge of replacing Allen. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a></p>&mdash; Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGreenspan/status/264055543306530816" data-datetime="2012-11-01T17:25:22+00:00">November 1, 2012</a></blockquote>

Needless to say, there is going to be a serious drop-off in receiver the next couple of weeks, at least, for the Golden Bears.