Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was formally charged Tuesday with two misdemeanor offenses stemming from his drunken driving arrest in downtown Indianapolis last month, is facing a minimum three-game suspension from the NFL, league sources told ESPN.
Three-game suspensions are mandated by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, which also stipulates that suspensions could be longer if a player is intoxicated at higher levels.
Police officers on the scene when Allen was arrested Aug. 30 said they received a .224 blood-alcohol level reading from the veteran wide receiver -- nearly three times the legal limit, meaning the NFL could decide to increase the three-game ban that he is already facing.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by ESPN's Stephen Holder, Allen's blood-alcohol level triggered a more serious Class A misdemeanor charge, per Indiana law.
An Indianapolis police sergeant encountered Allen at 1 a.m. after conducting a traffic investigation. Allen, according to the police report, was parked in a no-parking zone, prompting the officer to address the situation. The officer stated he smelled a strong odor of alcohol when he went to speak to Allen.
Allen is not expected to miss playing time while the case proceeds through the courts. Coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that the Colts are allowing the legal process to play out.
The NFL is expected to wait for Allen's legal case to conclude before it proceeds with any potential discipline. The next event on the docket in the case, an attorney conference, is scheduled for Oct. 26.
Allen, 34, joined the Colts in August on a one-year deal. The six-time Pro Bowler had six catches for 32 yards in the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
