Colts' Prominent Defender Gets Fined

One of the Indianapolis Colts' most important defenders must pay up.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed (45) celebrates after making an interception Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts are approaching their Week 14 bye to rest before a crucial matchup lies for them after in the Denver Broncos. Despite some R&R ahead, linebacker E.J. Speed must pay $22,511 for a helmet strike against the New England Patriots, which injured tight end Hunter Henry.

Colts EJ Speed fined $22,511 for striking with helmet. No flag on play. pic.twitter.com/QAsAAzNrKs
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) December 7, 2024

While there was no flag on the play of his misdeed, the tackle was a lapse of common sense from the veteran defender. To finish the game Speed had nine tackles and a pass defended but struggled with Zaire Franklin to stop New England's ground attack, allowing 200 yards from the Patriots.

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The NFL takes hits like this from Speed seriously, especially when it results in an injury like it did with Henry. Speed will do whatever possible to avoid more fines like this in the future, especially with only four games remaining on the schedule.

Speed and Franklin are staples of Indy's defense under Gus Bradley, but haven't played the most efficient ball this year. This comes extra when considering the ground defense, which the Colts and linebackers must remedy if they want to finish 10-7 with a playoff berth in the AFC.

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