Bears WR Keenan Allen will not play vs. Colts

Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen sat out practice due to a heel injury Friday at Halas Hall and has been ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Allen will not travel with the team to Indianapolis due to personal reasons, head coach Matt Eberflus said.

“First of all, his heel was getting better,” Eberflus said. “He’s working back with the trainers. Speeds are getting better. Cutting. Moving. All that’s better.”

Eberflus did not elaborate on Allen’s absence due to a personal matter.

Allen didn’t practice this week and has not been on the football field at all since the season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8.

Allen’s heel injury flared up several weeks ago during the final stages of training camp. He played in the season opener on Sept. 8, totaling 29 receiving yards on four catches, but sat out the Week 2 contest against the Texans.

The origins of the heel injury date back to last season. He also missed the final four games of the 2023 season due to a heel injury. Prior to the injury, Allen had 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games for the Chargers.

Additionally, fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and running back Travis Homer (finger) were also ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game. Homer is expected to land on injured reserve and miss at least four games. He injured his finger in practice this week.

Homer had been serving as the third-down running back for the Bears, primarily due to his blocking abilities. It’s not clear who will fill in for Homer in that capacity.

Guard Nate Davis (groin) is listed as questionable. Eberflus said Davis tweaked the injury during practice. Davis previously had been dealing with a similar injury during training camp. Look for backup Matt Pryor to potentially fill in at right guard if Davis is unable to play.

“Super excited for [Pryor], if he’s working in there with Nate or whatever that might be,” Eberflus said. “We’ll see in terms of getting closer to the game, but he’s really had a good work week.”

Bears left guard Teven Jenkins (thigh) missed practice earlier in the week but holds no injury designation and will play in the game. Nobody else on the roster holds an injury designation ahead of the game.