The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown have been suspended three games for “conduct detrimental to the team,” meaning they will miss the rest of the regular season.
Indianapolis placed both players on the reserve/suspended list, it said in a statement.
Brown and McKenzie were healthy scratches for the first time this season in the Colts’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. McKenzie signed with Indianapolis during free agency in March. Brown has spent the last two years with the Colts.
Both players have made their biggest impacts on special teams. McKenzie totaled 152 kick return yards and 204 punt return yards, which are both team highs. Brown played 71 percent of Indianapolis’ special teams snaps.
What this means for the Colts
The Colts didn’t miss a beat without either player when they snapped their eight-game losing streak to the Steelers. They turned to rookie wide receiver Josh Downs to handle return duties, and Brown was replaced on special teams coverage by second-year pro Darrell Baker Jr.
Indianapolis has survived much more significant absences this season, most notably rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in October, and star running back Jonathan Taylor, who’s missed three straight games after undergoing right thumb surgery Nov. 29. The Colts have won five of their last six games to move to 8-6 and hold the final AFC playoff spot.
Indianapolis’ suspension issues
Including Brown and McKenzie, seven Colts players have been suspended this calendar year. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles, and defensive end Rashod Berry were suspended indefinitely after violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Both were subsequently cut.
Cornerback Chris Lammons, who the Colts initially signed in July during free agency, was suspended for the first three games of the year after violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension stems from Lammons’ involvement in a fight outside of a club during the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas.
Defensive tackle Grover Stewart was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad is currently serving a six-game suspension for the same violation.
(Photo: Jenna Watson / USA Today)
