INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The NFL has fined Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin $11,593 for a late, unnecessary hit last week against the Arizona Cardinals.

With the game tied at 17 late in the third quarter, Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett dropped back and threw a quick pass short over the middle to tight end Elijah Higgins. After the ball had flown behind Higgins, Franklin threw his shoulder at Higgins, knocking both players to the ground and drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.

Five plays later, the Cardinals scored the leading touchdown as Brissett found receiver Greg Dortch dragging over the middle, with Franklin in coverage. The 12-yard score put Arizona up 24-17, but the Colts would answer with their own touchdown and ultimately win the back-and-forth affair, 31-27.

Cardinals linebacker Akeem David-Gaither was also fined for a hit in last Sunday's game. He was docked $17,389 for a hip-drop tackle against Colts return specialist Anthony Gould on a kickoff return just inside the two-minute warning of the first half. Davis Gaither grabbed Gould from the side and dropped his body to bring Gould down, which brought him down on Gould's legs. Davis-Gaither was not penalized on the play, and Gould was not injured.

Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.

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