The Colts’ receiving corps took another hit on the eve of their Week 4 matchup with Washington.
Indianapolis announced Saturday morning that Keenan Allen has been downgraded to out for the London game because of a groin injury. The move leaves the Colts even thinner at wide receiver as they prepare to face the Commanders, who come in at 1-2 just like Indianapolis.
"WR Keenan Allen (groin) has been downgraded to out for #INDvsWAS," the Colts announced one day before their Week 4 matchup.
Allen’s absence stings because the Colts were already planning without Alec Pierce, who is on injured reserve and unavailable for this week. That means Indianapolis will be down two of its top three wideouts for this one, forcing the offense to lean harder on the players still standing.
Josh Downs is now the clear top option in the passing game, and tight end Tyler Warren figures to be featured heavily as well. Behind them, the Colts are set to piece things together with recent free-agent addition Darius Slayton, along with veterans Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell.
Deion Burks could also get more chances after handling the ball twice for 14 total yards so far this season. He’s still searching for his first reception as a rookie, but the Colts may need him to help fill the gap.
With Allen ruled out and Pierce already sidelined, Indianapolis enters Week 4 with a much tougher path on offense. The depth chart is going to be tested quickly in London.
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Jason Kelce found himself in another clumsy on-air moment during the NFL International Series game between the Commanders and the Colts, when he slipped and used Washingtons former team name. Dave Pasch quickly corrected him on the broadcast, keeping the moment from lingering too long, but it was the kind of live-TV stumble that instantly stands out when the whole audience catches it in real time.
Kelce has already had a few of these awkward broadcast miscues lately, including a separate slip on Monday Night Football when he referred to the Eagles as "we." For Washington fans, it was another reminder that even in a game with an overseas spotlight, the conversation can drift away from the action on the field and into the broadcast booth. [Read more 🡒]
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For a team trying to keep its footing on an international stage, the ripple effects are hard to ignore. A morning kickoff alone can alter the feel of a game, but losing Daniels changes the way Washington will have to approach everything from protection to tempo against Indianapolis, even as a few injured pieces return to help stabilize the roster. The matchup still has plenty of intrigue, but it now looks like a very different kind of test for the Commanders. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Now Face A Brutal Problem Heading Into Division Games
The Commanders left London not just with a loss to the Colts, but with a deeper sense of urgency heading into the division stretch. Playing with third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis after injuries sidelined Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, Washington was already operating under difficult conditions before Indianapolis pulled away for a 30-13 win. Jonathan Taylor powered the Colts with two rushing touchdowns, and Daniel Jones added another on the ground even while his passing day never quite got going.
For Washington, the bigger concern is how thin the offense looked by the end of the trip. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane also exited with an ankle injury, adding another health issue to a unit that is suddenly scrambling for answers. With division games up next, the Commanders are facing a stretch where every missing piece matters, and the margin for error already looks painfully small. [Read more 🡒]