The Indianapolis Colts wanted to replicate their success from last season, and with Daniel Jones expected to start in Week 1, the team needed some wide receiver depth to complement him, especially after trading Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It seemed like the franchise had found that guy when they brought in Keenan Allen. But soon after joining the squad, the veteran wide receiver landed in legal trouble after he was arrested for driving under the influence. Now, his future in the NFL is facing uncertainty.
Keenan Allen Question Looms over the Colts
Last season, Allen returned to the Los Angeles Chargers and was wildly impactful for the team. Catching 81 passes for 777 yards and 4 touchdowns, he was among the most valuable wide receivers in the league.
Ranking at number 27 on PFN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metric, it was easy to see why the Colts saw value in bringing him in, potentially as a replacement for Pittman, who ranked at number 24 and had 784 yards and 7 touchdowns on 80 receptions.
Signed a little less than two weeks ago, he could have been the veteran presence to lead the offense as a six-time Pro Bowler. But after making his debut in the final preseason game for the Colts, news came out that he’d been arrested.
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The incident took place on Sunday morning at approximately 1 a.m. when IMPD officers conducted a traffic investigation in the 100 block of S. Meridian Street, just south of Monument Circle, after spotting a vehicle sitting in a no-parking zone.
Allen is facing a pair of preliminary misdemeanor charges: operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI) with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more, and OVWI endangering a person. So far, the Colts haven’t decided on Allen, even with the deadline for finalizing the 53-man roster looming on the horizon.
“We are aware of the incident involving Keenan Allen last night,” the Colts said in a statement provided to IndyStar. “We are in the process of gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”
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But the veteran might also face punishment from the league down the line. The official rule states that Commissioner Roger Goodell “may impose a fine, suspension, or other appropriate discipline if a Player is convicted of or admits to a violation of law… relating to the use of alcohol.”
The NFL’s Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse further states that a first-time offense, without “aggravating circumstances,” can lead to a three-game suspension without pay. But those decisions come months down the line, after the entire legal proceeding has concluded.
Allen’s exact blood alcohol level has not been publicly disclosed; police records show he was charged under the .08-or-above threshold. The NFL’s substance abuse policy treats a BAC of .15% or higher as an aggravating circumstance that could increase discipline beyond the standard three-game suspension.
For the Colts, who have brought him in on a one-year deal, that could mean that he’s available during the year in the role they want from him. By that logic, it would make sense for the organization to potentially keep him on the roster to give their offense that much-needed depth.
