Jared Allen Starting Super Bowl

Kyle Terada/USA Today

Thomas Davis, Jared Allen to start for Panthers in Super Bowl 50 - Coach Ron Rivera announced Friday that both Jared Allen and Thomas Davis will start for Carolina in the Super Bowl. The pair both suffered injuries in the playoffs but, after using the extra week to heal and address the broken bones with the team’s medical staff, both will line up come Sunday. Per the Charlotte Observer:

“I really was real pleased with what we got from both those guys. I’m excited about having them back on the football field.,” Rivera said. “The only last hurdle obviously is the conversation I have to have with the doctors just to make sure and that they’re feeling comfortable. But I’d be surprised if it was anything different.”

The announcement comes just 13 days after Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells went airborne in the NFC Championship game, crashing his knee and lower leg into an oncoming Davis, breaking the linebacker’s right forearm. Sporting a brace on the victor’s podium after the game, the first-time Pro Bowler let it be known that he would be playing the Super Bowl no matter what.

Similarly, Allen possessed the same determination after breaking his foot against Seattle in the Panthers’ NFC Divisional round victory, hoping to take part in the following week’s divisional title game, but was benched by Rivera, who, after consulting with team doctors, elected not to risk playing Allen. The 12-year NFL veteran disagreed with the decision initially.

The duo will retake their roles from rookie linebacker Shaq Thompson and second-year defensive lineman Kony Ealy.