NFL Honors: Chargers WR Keenan Allen named Comeback Player of the Year

Ron Clements

NFL Honors: Chargers WR Keenan Allen named Comeback Player of the Year image

Keenan Allen missed most of the 2015 and 2016 seasons, but bounced back in a big way in 2017.

The Chargers receiver set a franchise record with 102 receptions for 1,393 yards, which was third in the NFL, and scored six touchdowns. Allen was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year during Saturday's NFL Honors program in Minneapolis.

Allen suffered a season-ending kidney injury while making a touchdown catch against the Ravens in the eighth game of the 2015 season. He had healed well and received a four-year contract extension before the 2016 season only to see his 2016 campaign end just as it started.

Allen tore his right ACL in the season opener at Kansas City and was lost for the year.

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Finally healthy again in 2017, Allen had a career year and posted more than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since his rookie season. The 25-year-old North Carolina native was a third-round pick out of California in the 2013 NFL Draft and caught 71 passes for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season.

Allen had seven 100-yard receiving games in 2017, including four straight at one point. He became the first player in NFL history to post three consecutive games with 10-plus receptions, 100-plus receiving yards and a TD catch when he accomplished the feat in Weeks 11-13. He led the NFL in third-down receptions (36), third-down receiving yards (552) as well as first downs by a wide receiver (74).

Allen is the second member of the Chargers to receive Comeback Player of the Year honors, joining quarterback Philip Rivers (2013).

 

Ron Clements