The San Francisco 49ers know that the legal situation surrounding newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen could affect his availability, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is waiting to see how the NFL handles the matter.
Allen was charged in September with two misdemeanor offenses stemming from his Aug. 30 arrest in downtown Indianapolis. The 34-year-old is facing charges of operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .15 or higher and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Shanahan was asked Wednesday whether he expects Allen to face discipline this season or whether any potential punishment could wait until the offseason. The 49ers coach acknowledged that either outcome remains possible.
"We're just waiting," Shanahan said. "We know the
league handles that. It could go either way, so waiting for them to say."
Asked whether a suspension this season was still possible, Shanahan answered, "Yeah. It's still possible."
Allen is not expected to miss playing time while his legal case proceeds. The NFL typically waits until a case is adjudicated before determining discipline in drunk-driving situations, though the league's personal conduct and substance-abuse policies could lead to, at most, a three-game suspension.
The 49ers brought Allen in to solve their immediate receiver injury woes. Mike Evans is "week-to-week" with Achilles tendinitis and Deebo Samuel is working back from a hamstring injury, while the rest of the receiver corps has been dealing with other injuries all year.
Allen fixes some issues, but not if he can't play in the future.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Newest 49ers WR could face punishment from NFL for DUI, coach confirms
