Colts Rule Out Keenan Allen for Week 4 London Game vs. Commanders

A groin injury will keep wide receiver Keenan Allen out of the Colts' Week 4 matchup with Washington at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

The Indianapolis Colts have downgraded wide receiver Keenan Allen to out ahead of their Week 4 game against the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. A groin injury will keep the 34-year-old from playing in the international matchup.

The decision closed out a week of shifting signals about his availability. Allen worked in a limited capacity at the start of the practice week, then was listed as a non-participant on the October 1 injury report. He took a questionable tag into the weekend before Indianapolis confirmed that he would not dress, a change from earlier word that nobody on the roster would be held out.

Indianapolis has opened the 2026 NFL season on a poor note, losing each of its first two games and collecting just one win across three outings. The trip to London to meet Washington now takes place with the wide receiver room depleted by injuries.

Allen joined Indianapolis in August, signing a one-year contract that can be worth as much as $8.32 million. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, he played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 and spent several seasons there working with Shane Steichen, now the Colts' head coach.

Allen's production in 2026 stands at 13 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown, and he has appeared in all three of Indianapolis's games so far this year. He is expected to return to the lineup in Week 5, when the Colts are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 11.

His unavailability shrinks an already thin position group. Alec Pierce is still out because of a heel injury, leaving Josh Downs as the main option in the passing game. A bigger share of the targets is expected to go to Darius Slayton, Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, Deion Burks and tight end Tyler Warren.

On the Washington side, quarterback Marcus Mariota will get the start when the two teams meet in London. Colts head coach Shane Steichen was asked about the veteran passer during the week and, according to James Boyd of The Athletic, offered this assessment: "He's won a lot of games in the league. A lot of respect for him. Heard a lot of great things about him as the person as well. But very mobile, can make plays with his legs. Very good in the pocket, too, as well."

Mariota has appeared in two games this season, making just one start. He heads into the London matchup having completed 30 of 47 passes for 294 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions on his record.

The Colts and Commanders are set to kick off Sunday, October 4, at 9:30 a.m. EDT from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The game will be carried on NFL Network.