Colts WR Lavon Brazill suspended four games

Dec. 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates with wide receiver LaVon Brazill (15) after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts wide receiver depth chart just took a hit for the start of the 2013 season. Per NFL.com, second year receiver Lavon Brazill has been suspended for the first four games of the year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Brazill, a 6th round draft pick in 2012, appeared in 14 games for the Colts last season. He is set to compete for a rotational spot at receiver for the team, and was probably a step ahead of everyone else for WR4. His suspension probably hurts his prospects more than it hurts the Colts, given that the team has other young guys ready to fill the void.

One of the players that can benefit from Brazill’s suspension is Griff Whalen, who was Andrew Luck’s teammate at Stanford. Whalen performed well in training camp and preseason play last year, before being placed on IR with a lingering foot injury.

The Colts also have young veterans Jabin Sambrano and Nathan Palmer, along with rookies Jeremy Kelley, Rodrick Rumble, and Lanear Smith.

Brazill will be able to participate in training camp and preseason, but will not be eligible to make a regular season appearance until Week 5, when the Colts host the Seahawks.