Chargers top WR Allen ruled out against Raiders

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers ruled out wide receiver Keenan Allen for Thursday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of a heel injury.

Allen’s injury comes at an Inopportune time for the Chargers, who head into this game with backup quarterback Easton Stick making his first NFL start. The Chargers’ starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, is out for the season with a broken right index finger.

“He provides that middle of the field target, or, ‘Hey, if he’s playing outside, I can trust it,'” coach Brandon Staley Monday of the importance of Stick having Allen.

The Chargers will get back receiver Joshua Palmer, who was on injured reserve with a knee sprain since Week 9. Palmer had five catches for 133 yards in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs before suffering the injury in Week 8.

Allen is having the best season of his career. Last week, he set the Chargers single-season record for catches in a season with 108. He leads the NFL in receptions and is fourth in yards.