The Indianapolis Colts recently announced that they suspended veteran players Tony Brown and Isaiah McKenzie for the final three games of the regular season. The reasoning for both suspensions were “conduct detrimental to the team.” Indy didn’t give any other details to the situation. Naturally, this left fans and media members confused and curious to know what transpired.
The hope was that head coach Shane Steichen would provide some clarity when he spoke with the media on Wednesday, but if anything, his comments left everyone more confused. Steichen explained that the team has a standard and that everyone will be held accountable. Fair enough.
Prior to the announcement of the suspensions, both McKenzie and Brown were healthy scratches for Indy's Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and that was a bit surprising since they were both key contributors on special teams. When asked on Wednesday if Brown and McKenzie being healthy scratches were connected to the suspension in any way, Steichen refused to answer. Steichen also refused to give an answer about whether or not the two veterans would be welcomed back for the postseason if Indy makes the playoffs.
Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown have had their lockers removed from the Colts locker room.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 20, 2023
Shane Steichen refuses to give details about suspension of Tony Brown and Isaiah McKenzie
It was also reported that McKenzie and Brown had their lockers removed from the team’s locker room, which seems drastic for a suspension. A move like that certainly makes it seem like Brown nor McKenzie will be returning to the team anytime soon; not even after their three-game suspension concludes. If the Colts make the playoffs, we’ll see what happens.
Both players are on one-year contracts with the team, so Indianapolis won’t have to cut either if the organization decides to move on. If whatever they did is something that ends their time in Indianapolis, the Colts will just let them walk in free agency.