NFL drops the hammer on 2 Colts defensive players just days before the start of the regular season
Two Indianapolis Colts players were fined for preseason plays as the NFL released a full slate of exhibition penalties.
The fines are back in the NFL. The league released its entire slate of preseason fines for incidents during the exhibition games, and two Indianapolis Colts players were hit with penalties.
Preseason games can also generate punishment to players
Former undrafted safety Trey Washington, who’s been in Indy since 2025, was fined $5,583 for unnecessary roughness because of a facemask in the second quarter of the Colts’ 34-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 of the preseason.
Veteran cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who signed with the Colts in free agency this offseason after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, was fined $7,791 also for unnecessary roughness, but classified as striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing in the Week 3, 25-16 loss to the Detroit Lions.
That’s the second punishment Taylor-Britt has received this year. The cornerback was also suspended for one game without pay due to violating the league’s personal conduct policy. That means he’s not counting against the 53-man roster limit for Week 1, but will return from the reserve list next week.
Fines go for good causes around the football world
The NFL uses its fine schedule to outline the league’s and the NFLPA’s expectations for players. The rules are designed to protect players from unnecessary risk and emphasize sportsmanship, according to the league.
Player infractions can come to the league’s attention through several channels. The NFL may respond to an official’s call during a game or to a specific play a team submits for review. The league’s officiating department also reviews every play from every game and refers potential violations to the Football Operations Compliance Team.
The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need and the NFL Foundation. Those funds further support the health and safety of athletes across all levels, including youth football, and the communities that support the game. Since 2011, about $4 million per year has been used to support those causes.
For the Colts, the major concern is that repeating offenders might get suspended later in the season.
