Is Keenan Allen Coming Back and Playing This Week? Week 16 Fantasy Football Return Update

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has carried many fantasy managers throughout the 2023 season. After overcoming injuries last year, he exploded this year and served as a potential league-winner.

Unfortunately, as the fantasy football playoffs roll on, managers might be forced to proceed without the star wide receiver.

Will Keenan Allen play against the Bills in Week 16? Let's take a look at his latest injury update and potential fantasy outlook for the second round of the fantasy football playoffs.

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Keenan Allen Injury Update for Fantasy Football

Allen (heel) has spent plenty of time on the injury report this season, but it has rarely held him out of action. That all changed this month, though. The star wideout missed last Thursday's game and did not practice at all this week. As a result, he has also been ruled out for this week's game (versus the Bills on Saturday).

It's too early to tell whether he'll be available for Week 17 against Denver.

Keenan Allen Fantasy Football Outlook

Normally, when a No. 1 wide receiver goes down, the No. 2 option gets an immediate boost in volume and production. However, that might not be the case in Los Angeles. The Chargers' offense has struggled ever since losing Justin Herbert (finger). Easton Stick could struggle to support a true alpha receiver, though Joshua Palmer did step up to tally four catches, 113 yards, and one touchdown during last Thursday's blowout loss versus Las Vegas. Palmer is a low-floor, high-ceiling player who should only be considered as a WR3/FLEX option.

Fellow wide receiver Quentin Johnston has been fluky lately. With a lower target share, he relies on busted coverage or end-zone opportunities in order to maintain fantasy relevance. It's tough to trust him as the fantasy playoffs roll on.

Perhaps the biggest benefactor is tight end Gerald Everett, who earned a season-high eight targets last week. Unlike Palmer, Everett has a higher floor and lower ceiling, largely because he commands targets but isn't a touchdown machine.

Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson will also see increased opportunities but remain off the fantasy radar.

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