Keenan Allen Faces a 3-Game Suspension, Leaving the Colts' Offense in Early-Season Chaos

The Indianapolis Colts just got handed a massive early-season headache. Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen is reportedly facing a minimum three-game suspension stemming from a drunk driving arrest in downtown Indianapolis last month.

Adam Schefter broke the news that the 34-year-old receiver is staring down the league's substance abuse policy. Reports indicate Allen allegedly blew a .224, which is the kind of number that makes you wonder how he even found the door handle, let alone the ignition. The NFL mandates a three-game ban for a first offense, but the league can tack on more games if they decide there are aggravating circumstances.

"Adam Schefter reported the suspension stems from a drunk driving arrest in downtown Indianapolis last month."

This is a brutal blow for an Indianapolis offense that is already trying to find its footing. The Colts let Michael Pittman Jr. walk to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, bringing in Allen to be the reliable veteran safety blanket. Instead, they just got blown out 41-23 by the Baltimore Ravens in their opener and now have to replace their biggest offseason acquisition.

If you are holding Allen in fantasy or looking at the Colts' team totals, it is time to pivot. The immediate beneficiary here is Josh Downs. Downs put up 58 catches for 566 yards last year, but with Allen sidelined, he is suddenly going to see the kind of target volume usually reserved for guys who complain on podcasts.

The timing could not possibly be worse for Indianapolis. They have to travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs next, a matchup that already looked like a steep uphill climb before losing their top veteran route-runner. We will see if the league keeps the suspension at three games, but for now, the Colts are going to have to figure out how to move the chains with a severely depleted depth chart.