Colts tight end Dwayne Allen out for game with ankle injury

In the first quarter of tonight’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, Colts tight end Dwayne Allen left with an ankle injury and he has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Indianapolis Star’s Gregg Doyel noted that Allen came to the sidelines and slammed his helmet down on the ground, and the team looked at his ankle on the sideline. They initially said he was questionable to return, but a few minutes later downgraded his status to out. The NBC TV cameras caught the trainers heavily wrapping and icing Allen’s ankle and cutting off his wrist tape, which seemed to be a pretty clear sign that his night was done. Sure enough, the Colts soon after ruled him out.

It’s a significant loss for the Colts to lose their top tight end, but Jack Doyle is a very capable replacement and already showed that tonight, catching a 22-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck. Doyle has had a good year and has consistently impressed when called upon, so he should be fine filling in for Allen. The bigger question becomes the depth behind Doyle, as the only other active tight end for the Colts is Erik Swoope - and ideally he wouldn’t have to play significant snaps. Regardless, though, the hope is obviously that Allen is ok, as with his injury history there are plenty of questions whenever he gets hurt.