Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen has been formally charged with two misdemeanor offenses following his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. The charges, filed on Tuesday, include operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .15 or more, potentially jeopardizing the 34-year-old's career.
Allen was pulled over by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police on August 30, approximately 11 days after signing with the Colts. According to an affidavit, officers observed the vehicle parked in a no-parking zone at 1 a.m. Upon approaching the driver, identified as Allen, the officer noted slurred speech, glassy eyes, and the strong odor of alcohol. Allen failed a preliminary breathalyzer test twice before registering a reading of 0.224, nearly three times the legal limit in Indiana. He subsequently consented to a blood draw and was taken to Marion County Jail.
Allen waived his initial court hearing, which had been scheduled for Wednesday. The NFL's policy on player conduct includes potential suspensions for driving under the influence, with aggravating circumstances like extreme intoxication possibly leading to an eight-game ban. Such a suspension could prompt the Colts to release Allen from his one-year contract.
Despite the pending charges, Allen played in the Colts' season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He caught all six of his targets for 32 yards and is currently listed as the third receiver on the team's depth chart. Allen signed a one-year deal with the Colts in August after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Allen has a decorated NFL career, marked by six Pro Bowl selections and a Comeback Player of the Year award. He was originally drafted by the Chargers in 2013 and spent 12 of his 13 seasons with the franchise, including a productive 2017 season where he recorded 1,393 receiving yards. He also played for the Chicago Bears for one season before returning to the Chargers for the 2025 season.