Monday’s “First Call” features fallout from Anthony Richardson’s injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin calls out Najee Harris. Broderick Jones isn’t taking criticism of his play kindly.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of officiating criticism to go around. And Dionate Johnson is getting going in Charlotte.
Aching Anthony
The Colts beat the Steelers, 27-24, on Sunday despite the loss of Anthony Richardson.
Indy’s starting quarterback was knocked out in the first quarter and replaced by Joe Flacco. Richardson was injured on a hit by Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Anthony Richardson was hurt on this last play but he’s back in now for the Colts offense. pic.twitter.com/gUYqOly9uz
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 29, 2024
“I’m pretty sore. But I’m feeling pretty good. We got the ‘W’ today,” Richardson said via video posted by the Indy Star. “I think I’m going to be good, just a little soreness. … My hip was hurting. I tried to go back out there, but I couldn’t accelerate like I wanted to.”
Here’s #Colts’ Anthony Richardson on his hip injury. Head to https://t.co/33Ugb8Kcl4 now for the latest via insiders @JoelAErickson & @NateAtkins_ —-> https://t.co/bKDBxuM7Lgpic.twitter.com/eLQ7DFyTxx
— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) September 29, 2024
Richardson left the game during Indianapolis’ second drive. He helped engineer a touchdown on the first drive and went out with 71 yards on three completions. Flacco came in and went 16 of 26 for 168 yards and two touchdowns and was sacked just twice. He posted a 105.9 passer rating.
Richardson told reporters that he’ll get an MRI on the injury. The Colts have a road game in Jacksonville next week.
Najee’s no-no
Prior to the game, Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris was caught on the Indianapolis video board flipping two middle fingers as the crowd was being implored to “Let them hear you.” That happened just as the Steelers were being introduced.
When Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was made aware of that on social media, he subtweeted the photo and said of Harris, “Kid is soft. 84 run(s) harder.”
Franklin was referencing Cordarrelle Patterson. The veteran running back ran six times for 43 yards. Harris only had 19 yards on 13 carries.
Unfortunately for Patterson, he injured an ankle in the first half and had to leave the game. Jaylen Warren also missed the game with a knee injury.
Franklin ended up with nine total tackles, second on the Colts behind E.J. Speed’s 12.
More sports
• Airing of Grievances: Self-inflicted wounds, shaky coaching decisions allow Steelers to get trapped vs. Colts
• Madden Monday: Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' defense are the 'biggest reasons the team lost' in Indianapolis
• ‘I thought we were playing football’ – Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick livid about personal foul flag
Beg to differ
Fitzpatrick received a flag for this awful unnecessary roughness penalty after hitting Adonai Mitchell in the second half of Sunday’s game.
????????????AWFUL CALL????????????
THE REFS CALLED A 15 YARD PENALTY ON #STEELERS DB MINKAH FITZPATRICK FOR PLAYING FOOTBAL…
He makes contact with the receiver trying to prevent a completion…
INSANE ????????????
(Questionable Call: Sponsored by @LASIKdotcom)
pic.twitter.com/fyrmk24E1T— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 29, 2024
CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore disagreed with the officials’ interpretation of the flag.
“Minkah’s closing on this play at 100 mph, and he is pulling up,” Steratore said. “You’ve got to play safety that way. He is pulling up. It’s not contact to the head and neck. It’s not a safety play. I just think that’s a football play. I think if you take a look at that one again, I think you want to take that (flag) back.”
After the game, Fitzpatrick was critical of the penalty.
Minkah Fitzpatrick on his personal foul penalty
“I thought we were playing football …. This is not the game I grew up playing… you can’t hit anybody.” pic.twitter.com/wgaxCUoQeX
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 29, 2024
That play was on a second down. It gave the Colts a first down on the Steelers’ 43-yard line. They ended up scoring a touchdown.
Broderick claps back
After the Steelers’ lost, Broderick Jones spent some time on social media lashing out at those who were critical of his play.
lol come show me how it’s done then????
— Broderick Jones (@millionairemov3) September 29, 2024
I had zero penalties boss check the stats
— Broderick Jones (@millionairemov3) September 29, 2024
Come show me how to do it????
— Broderick Jones (@millionairemov3) September 29, 2024
Come take my spot let’s see what you got my boy
— Broderick Jones (@millionairemov3) September 29, 2024
No one along the Steelers’ offensive line exactly bathed themselves in glory. Justin Fields was sacked a season-high four times and the run game would’ve been under 100 yards if it wasn’t for Fields’ scrambles.
But Jones didn’t stand out as remarkably better or worse than his fellow offensive linemen.
Jones took some heat on Fields’ huge loss on this second-half sack.
The sack wasn't enough for Chris Lammons. ????
???? CBS pic.twitter.com/ediaknxKVZ
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024
Jones appeared to be engaged with one rusher (Franklin) while another came free. Jones pointed out the oncoming blitzer, but no one picked him up.
Dalton to Diontae
Former Steeler Diontae Johnson sure has perked up since Andy Dalton became his starting quarterback in Carolina.
On Sunday, Johnson led the Panthers with seven catches, 83 yards and a touchdown versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Diontae Johnson makes this a 10-point game!
????: #CINvsCAR on FOX
????: https://t.co/waVpO909gepic.twitter.com/8nlEHb237N— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
In his first two games, Johnson had only five catches and 34 yards. In his past two games, the 28-year-old has 15 catches, 205 yards and two scores. That has corresponded with Dalton replacing Bryce Young in the starting lineup.
The Panthers did win last week. But it wasn’t enough this week as they fell to the Bengals, 34-24. That was the Bengals’ first win of the year.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for nine catches, 145 yards and a touchdown.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.