Colts Linebacker Handed Hefty Fine For 'Unnecessary Roughness'

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was fined by the NFL for a hit he made against the Houston Texans in Week 1.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) looks to bring down Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL announced two fines were handed to players on both sides of the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans matchup in Week 1. No fines were given for a couple heavy blows to quarterback Anthony Richardson, despite head coach Shane Steichen saying he would send some plays to the league for review.

Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin owes $22,511 to the league for a tackle on running back Joe Mixon in the third quarter and Texans running back British Brooks was fined $4,444 for a hit on Colts kick returner Anthony Gould in the first quarter. Both players who were fined were not penalized during the game.

#Colts LB Zaire Franklin was fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness on this tackle of #Texans RB Joe Mixon in the third quarter of Indianapolis’ season-opening loss to Houston.

Franklin was not flagged/penalized for this tackle during the game. pic.twitter.com/axdxaBCQAX

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 14, 2024

#Texans RB/special teamer British Brooks was fined $4,444 for unnecessary roughness on this tackle of #Colts rookie WR/returner Anthony Gould in the first quarter of Indianapolis’ season-opening loss to Houston.

Brooks was not flagged/penalized for this tackle during the game. pic.twitter.com/xM2KRW8Gj7

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 14, 2024

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Aside from these two plays, the Colts front office wanted some more accountability from league officials. Richardson was slammed to the turf early in the game by defensive lineman Mario Edwards, and later took a shot to the helmet from Houston's cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Neither plays were penalized or fined after further review.

Sack by Mario Edwards. Sack ASSIST by WAJ who wipes out LT & LG single-handedly pic.twitter.com/X0vuVEFkZd

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) September 14, 2024

#Texans CB Kamari Lassiter was not penalized in the game or fined afterward for this helmet-to-helmet hit on #Colts QB Anthony Richardson in the fourth quarter of Indianapolis’ season-opening loss to Houston.

LG Quenton Nelson was incensed on the play, pleading with the refs. pic.twitter.com/RMePqQmRmP

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 14, 2024

Standing at 6-foot-4 and nearly 250 pounds, Richardson seems to get a different whistle than smaller quarterbacks. Defenders are forced to hit him harder than usual, but that doesn't mean helmet-to-helmet contact should be acceptable.

I know I'm a big QB. I know some of the calls might not go our way, which is cool. It’s football. You just gotta fight through stuff like that.

- Anthony Richardson, Colts QB

The Colts will surely continue to monitor how the league officiates calls like these against their franchise quarterback who they'd prefer to keep healthy. Keep an eye on how the NFL's gameday accountability office handles situations like these in the future.

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