Chicago Bears won't retaliate against Jared Allen

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice told reporters Wednesday that his team would not retaliate against Vikings defensive end Jared Allen for an illegal hit in the teams' Nov. 25 game. Allen hit Bears guard Lance Louis with a crushing block during an interception return. Louis tore his ACL on the hit, ending his season. Bears coach Lovie Smith called the hit "unnecessary" after the game, and the NFL later fined Allen $21,000 after finding the hit to be illegal.

Despite the bad blood engendered by the block, Tice stated that his players would not retaliate against Allen. Rather, the Bears are focusing on keeping Allen from wreaking havoc in their backfield. Via ESPN Chicago:

"So it's very important to make sure we account for Jared Allen every time we throw the ball, and we will. (They're a) different defense at home on that field turf with that crowd noise, and we just have to make sure we're smart about the calls and how we're helping J'Marcus (Webb) out."

Allen was asked about the hit Wednesday, and appeared regretful:

"I saw a guy running and I just made a block, and that happened. My apologies for the knee. That's never, ever the intent. I was asking Webb and I asked coach Tice after the game if he was O.K. They said, ‘No,' and I said, ‘Dang, that sucks.' That's never the intent, but you can't take it back."

The Bears (8-4) and Vikings (6-6) renew their NFC North feud for the 103rd time Sunday at noon CT in the Metrodome. Television coverage is available on Fox.