Rare move…
In a rare move for an NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday placed cornerback Tony Brown and wide receiver/punt returner Isiah McKenzie on the reserve/suspended list for conduct detrimental to the team. Both players were healthy scratches for the Week 15 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What happened???
Brown and McKenzie were suspended for three games each, with only three games remaining in the regular season. The Colts provided no details on what the players did, but the infraction(s) were serious enough to warrant the suspensions.
Multiple suspensions this season…
The Colts have had seven players suspended throughout the 2023 offseason and regular season, with five of the suspensions handed down by the NFL.
In June, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, Sr., and defensive end Rashod Berry were both suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s gambling policy and were waived by the team. In October, defensive tackle Grover Stewart was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s PED policy. Stewart returned to the Colts for Week 15. Earlier this month, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad was suspended six games for a PED violation and released by the Colts. In September, Cornerback Chris Lammons was suspended for three games and ultimately released for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Lammons’ suspension stemmed from his involvement in the 2022 beating of a man in Las Vegas.
How will this affect the Colts???
Rookie wide receiver, Josh Downs, stepped in to handle return duties in McKenzie’s absence, and Darrell Baker, Jr. replaced Brown on special teams coverage in the Colts Week 15 win against the Steelers.
The Colts made a flurry of roster moves after the suspensions were announced. The Colts had no problem beating the Steelers without Baker and McKenzie. Since both players will serve their suspensions for the remaining there games of the season, they should be available if the Colts make the playoffs.
