Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

Colts starting free safety LaRon Landry, part of the team's high-priced 2013 class of free agents, will miss the next four games while serving an NFL-issued suspension for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Landry will be eligible to return to the Colts' active roster on Oct. 27 following the team's Oct. 26 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and will lose $750,000 from his $3 million base salary.

While Landry has been inconsistent in his year-plus with the Colts, the loss will be significant because of the Colts' lack of depth at safety.

Having already lost projected starting strong safety Delano Howell to a season-ending neck injury, the Colts have relied on Landry and veteran Mike Adams as the starters.

Landry's absence will likely require the Colts to promote Sergio Brown to the starting lineup. Brown has never been a full-time player, making his mark primarily as a special-teamer during his five-year career. Veteran Colt Anderson, who missed Sunday's game with a groin injury, could be in the mix, too.

Adams, a former Denver Broncos starter, has been increasingly effective since joining the lineup, making two interceptions in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans.

This is the Colts' second such suspension this season, with linebacker Robert Mathis' four-game suspension ending Monday. Mathis won't play this season after tearing his Achilles tendon in a personal workout during his suspension.

In addition to Mathis and Landry, owner Jim Irsay has two games remaining on his six-game suspension following his guilty plea on Sept. 2 to one count of Operating a Vehicle While intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor. He was also fined $500,000 by the NFL. The Colts released receiver LaVon Brazill in July after he was suspended for the season following his third violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.

Landry is the Colts' second-leading tackler with 23, including a sack. He was signed to a four-year, $24 million contract before the 2013 season.

Landry, as he often does, posted an Instagram noting his workout regimen for the day, Monday afternoon.

He also tweeted a message that read, "Sometimes things aren't what they appear to be," before quickly deleting the tweet. Landry did not elaborate.

As was the case with Mathis – who said his PED violation stemmed from the use of a fertility drug that can be used as a masking agent – Landry may have appealed the ruling. But because the specifics of PED cases are kept confidential, it's not known whether Landry availed himself of that option.

The Colts offered no comment on the suspension. The news was announced shortly after the conclusion of the team's media availability on Monday, during which Landry was not present.

Landry is renowned for his fierce weight-room workouts and his cartoonish muscles. During the offseason, he works out multiple times per day and is an avid user of various supplements and an endorser for MusclePharm products.

Landry, however, had never previously been suspended for steroid use.

Landry's suspension comes on the heels of another strong performance from the Colts' secondary. The Colts are limiting opponents to a quarterback rating of 84.5, seventh-best in the NFL. They have dominated overmatched quarterbacks Chad Henne (Jacksonville) and Charlie Whitehurst (Tennessee) in consecutive weeks.

The Colts conducted workouts with several safeties last week, including former Dolphin and Texan Chris Clemons. He had not heard back from the team Monday afternoon and was en route to another workout for a different team, his agent said. Also reportedly working out for the team were Bacarri Rambo and M.D. Jennings.

Undrafted rookie Dewey McDonald was promoted from the practice squad, but it's possible the team would still explore signing a veteran safety.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.