Zach Allen recorded an 11.8% pressure rate before sustaining an injury in practice prior to Week 12.

Deemed full participant Thursday

Allen (heel) was estimated as a full participant in Thursday's practice walkthrough.

Analysis: Allen missed Sunday's Week 12 game against Las Vegas due to a heel injury, but his estimated status Thursday makes it likely that he'll be able to return Monday against Cleveland. The defensive end has logged 5.0 sacks through 11 games, putting him a half-sack behind the career-high mark he established in 2022 with Arizona.

Inactive Sunday

Allen (heel) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Raiders.

Analysis: The defensive end was a limited participant in Denver's Wednesday and Friday practice sessions. Allen has 42 tackles (24 solo), including 5.0 sacks, and a pass defensed on the year. Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike should be in line to replace him.

Questionable for Week 12

Allen (heel) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Analysis: Allen had his full practice Thursday sandwiched between limited practices Wednesday and Friday, and he's drawn the questionable tag heading into Sunday's AFC West showdown. If Allen is unable to play, Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike would see an uptick in snaps at defensive end alongside starter John Franklin-Myers. Through 11 regular-season games, Allen has logged 42 tackles (24 solo), including 5.0 sacks, and one pass defensed.

Four TFLs in loss to Chargers

Allen logged eight tackles (five solo), including 0.5 sacks and four TFLs, in Denver's loss to the Chargers on Sunday.

Analysis: Allen's tackles and TFLs marked new season-highs, and his half-sack gives Allen 3.5 through six contests. On the year, Allen has an NFL-best nine tackles for loss. Additionally, he's recorded 29 tackles (18 solo), including the 3.5 sacks, 13 QB hits and one safety. Allen has been one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the league on a powerhouse Denver defense.

Picks up another sack in Week 5

Allen recorded seven tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Denver's win over Las Vegas on Sunday.

Analysis: One of the most disruptive down linemen in the league, Allen has at least 1.0 sacks in three of five games to open the year. In total, Allen has recorded 21 tackles (13 solo), including five TFLs and 3.0 sacks, and 12 QB hits. He also helped dump Zach Charbonnet for a safety in the Week 1 opener. Allen is on pace to blow past his previous single-season career high of 5.5 sacks.

Logs first sack of season Sunday

Allen finished Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Steelers with four tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks.

Analysis: Allen got to Justin Fields for a one-yard sack late in the second quarter. Allen made life difficult for Fields, with the former registering four of the Broncos' six quarterback hits. Allen will look to make his presence felt in Week 3 against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.

Records five sacks in 2023

Allen recorded 60 tackles (27 solo) including five sacks, with one pass defensed and one forced fumble over 17 contests during the 2023 season.

Analysis: After signing a three-year contract with Denver last offseason, Allen made an impact when he got the opportunity. His 60 total tackles were a career high, and the 26-year-old defensive end played a key role in the Broncos' improved defense. Allen should continue to be an important part of Denver's pass rush in 2024.

Agrees to deal with Denver

Allen agreed to a three-year, $45.75 million contract with the Broncos on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The contract won't become official until the new league year begins Wednesday, but Allen is scheduled to join Denver on a contract that includes $32.5 million guaranteed. He missed the final four games of the 2022 season with a hand injury but recorded 5.5 sacks for the Cardinals before then.

Unavailable for Week 18

Allen (hand) has been deemed out ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Allen will finish the 2022 campaign with four consecutive absences after sustaining a hand injury in the Week 14 loss to New England. Over 13 games, the fourth-year defensive end recorded 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks and eight passes defended, and he's now one of five Week 1 starting defenders either ruled out or on IR for the regular-season finale. In Allen's stead, expect Michael Dogbe and Manny Jones to continue playing increased roles opposite J.J. Watt.

Remains out Week 17

Allen (hand) will not suit up for Sunday's game versus the Falcons, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Analysis: Allen will now miss his third game in a row due to a left hand injury sustained against New England in Week 14. The 25-year-old defensive end also underwent surgery for this issue Dec. 14, and with the Cardinals already eliminated from playoff contention, it's unclear if he'll return for the regular-season finale against San Francisco on Sunday, Jan. 8. With Allen still sidelined, expect Jonathan Ledbetter to once again step up into a starting role opposite J.J. Watt.

Won't return Week 16

Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said that Allen (hand) will not be back for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Allen was forced out with a left hand injury during Arizona's Week 14 loss to the Patriots and underwent surgery Wednesday. While it's still unclear when, or if, the 25-year-old will return this season, it appears he'll remain out until at least Week 17 against Atlanta. As a result, expect the Cardinals to remain undermanned at defensive end behind J.J. Watt and Jonathan Ledbetter, the latter of whom stepped into a bigger role with Allen sidelined Week 15.

Out after getting hand surgery

Allen underwent surgery Wednesday on his injured left hand, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Analysis: Allen suffered the hand injury in Monday's loss to the Patriots, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury had already ruled him out for Week 15 against the Broncos. His status beyond Sunday is still yet to be determined, though considering the team has yet to put him on injured reserve, he could make his return to the lineup at some point over the final three weeks of the season.

Will miss time

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Allen (hand) won't play in Sunday's game at Denver, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Allen suffered the left hand injury in the second half of Monday's loss to the Patriots and was unable to return. The exact nature of the injury is still unknown, but the Cardinals' decision to rule out Allen this early in Week 15 prep suggests he could be in store for a multi-game absence.

Forced out Monday

Allen has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Patriots with a hand injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Allen logged three tackles, including 1.5 sacks, before sustaining a hand injury in the second half. While the nature of this issue is still unclear, the 25-year-old was seen in street clothes with a cast on his left hand after returning from the locker room in the second half, according to Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com. Allen logged career-highs sacks (4.5) and passes defended (seven) to go along with 45 tackles over the first 12 games of the season. In his absence, Jonathan Ledbetter will serve as…read more

Ready to go Monday

Allen (illness) will be active for the Cardinals' Week 14 matchup with the Patriots on Monday Night Football, Jordan Schultz of TheScore.com reports.

Analysis: Allen was added to the injury report Saturday with an illness, but it now appears as if the defensive end will be ready to go for Monday's contest. The 25-year-old has produced 45 tackles, including 4.5 sacks, while also deflecting seven passes over 12 games this season.

Added to injury report

Allen has been added to the Cardinals' injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Patriots due to an illness, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Allen missed Saturday's practice as a result of he illness. His status Monday will presumably depend on how he is feeling closer to kickoff. His backup, Jonathan Ledbetter (back), is also listed as questionable.

Reaches career high in sacks

Allen recorded two tackles, one sack and one pass defended in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Allen remained a steady presence along the Arizona defensive line and has played fewer than 75 percent of snaps in only one game on the campaign. His primary impact in Week 12 came when he brought down Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter for a three-yard loss, helping to force a punt. Allen has 4.5 sacks on the season, 2.5 of which have come in his last four games.

Ready to return

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Allen is ready to handle a full workload again after recovering from ankle surgery undergone in January, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.

Analysis: Kingsbury added that Allen is running well, but that the defensive end may be utilized in different ways this preseason to ensure he remains healthy. The 24-year-old collected 48 tackles and four sacks over 15 games last year, and he figures to reprise a significant role on Arizona's defensive line this coming season.

Should be ready for training camp

Coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed Monday that Allen (ankle) will be "full go for training camp," Alex Weiner of Sports Illustrated reports.

Analysis: Allen, who is recovering from ankle surgery undergone in January, was seen working to the side of Arizona's practice Monday and likely will continue to take things slow leading up training camp. The third-year defensive end played 15 games last season while dealing with the lingering ankle issue, though the two missed games were due to his stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Allen has started 21 games over the past two seasons and figures to play a prominent role heading into the final year of…read more

Undergoes ankle surgery

Allen recently had ankle surgery, per his Twitter account Friday.

Analysis: Allen noted that he toughed out "a torn-up ankle" all season, but his two absences during the 2021 campaign were attributed to a stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The third-year pro had a career season, with 48 tackles, four sacks, four pass defenses, three fumble recoveries (including one for a touchdown) and one interception in 15 games. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Allen will look to set himself up for a nice payday with a productive 2022.

Activated off COVID-19 list

The Cardinals activated Allen (illness) off the COVID-19 list Monday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website reports.

Analysis: Allen tested positive for the virus and missed two games while on the COVID-19 list. If the 24-year-old's conditioning is still up to par, he will likely make his return during Thursday's matchup with the Packers.

Tests positive for COVID-19

Allen tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Analysis: Allen will be sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Browns. Given that he has tested positive for the virus, he could also be in danger of missing the team's Week 7 matchup against Houston. Allen has recorded a total of 10 tackles across five games on the campaign.

Monster performance against Eagles

Allen posted 11 tackles and a sack in Sunday's 33-26 win over the Eagles.

Analysis: Allen held down the edge in Week 14 against the Eagles' tandem of quarterback Jalen Hurts and tailback Miles Sanders. He piled up 11 stops as a result, shattering his previous career high of four tackles in a game. The second-year defensive end also notched his first sack since Week 1.

Returns from IR

Allen (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis: The 23-year-old landed on injured reserve with the ankle injury in late October, but he's back on the active roster in time for Week 12. Allen totaled 11 tackles and one sack in seven games before suffering the injury.

Designated to return

Allen (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, opening the 21-day window for him to be activated, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Allen has missed the requisite amount of time on injured reserve and is eligible to return as soon as Sunday's game against the Patriots. The Cardinals could sorely use Allen back in the lineup, as defensive ends Jordan Phillips (hamstring) and Leki Fotu (ankle) have both gone to IR in the past two weeks. Allen should be an immediate starter once he returns to action.

Shifts to IR

The Cardinals placed Allen (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The Cardinals believe Allen has a chance to return after a minimum three-week stint on IR, which would mean he could play Week 11 against the Seahawks -- a Thursday night contest. The 2019 third-round pick has started two games this year and maintains a consistent role on the team's defense, but until he returns to action, Leki Fotu, Jordan Phillips (hamstring) and Angelo Blackson should handle expanded roles.

Limps off early on SNF

Allen limped off the field and into the medical tent after sustaining a leg injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Urban adds that trainers were looking at Allen's ankle or knee following a noncontact injury. Allen's return should be considered questionable at this time, and Leki Fotu will likely slide into his spot at defensive end. Allen's injury has been clarified as an ankle injury, and he's officially questionable to return.

Likely to start in 2020

Allen (neck) is likely to be a starter at defensive end for Arizona in 2020, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The 2019 third-round pick started one of four games to begin last season, but he missed the final 12 games of the year with the neck injury. Allen is eager to get back on the field after an offseason with no on-field activities due to the pandemic, and he's expected to fill a prominent role on Arizona's defensive line.

Done for season

The Cardinals placed Allen (neck) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Allen has sat out six straight games, and the Cardinals chose to shut down their rookie third-rounder for the remainder of the year. The defensive end finished his rookie campaign with eight tackles (six solo) and no sacks. The Cardinals will roll with Jonathan Bullard, Rodney Gunter and Michael Dogbe at defensive end for now.