Cal football: Keenan Allen to miss at least Washington, Oregon games

Allen has a left knee injury that will sideline him for at least two to three weeks but won’t require surgery, according to the Oakland Tribune.

With the Golden Bears struggling again this season, Allen has little incentive to risk re-injuring his knee and coming back too soon. He also appears to have accomplish just about everything he can at Cal, making the NFL Draft the next logical step in Allen’s career.

While his status remains in doubt, no one can deny Allen’s importance to the Bears offense. After a 2011 season that saw him catch 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns, the Greensboro, NC native has already matched that touchdown total this season and added a rushing score to boot. His signature game this season came against Washington State, with 11 receptions and 166 yards punctuated by a 69-yard touchdown.

As the Bears host Washington on Friday, they are going to have to hope their beacon can shine on the Husky secondary.