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According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Matthew Adams will not be suspended for ‘throwing a punch’ at Tennessee Titans linebacker Nick Dzubnar on special teams during Sunday’s loss—which led to a subsequent ejection (although the possibility of a league fine remains):
#Colts LB Matthew Adams won’t be suspended for the punch(es) that led to his ejection yesterday against the #Titans, I’m told. It'll be reviewed for a possible fine.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 30, 2020
There’s clearly some dispute whether Adams actually ‘threw a punch’ at Dzubnar on Sunday late in the second quarter—and with the Colts trailing two touchdowns. At the very least, it doesn’t appear that the Titans linebacker really took offense to it:
#Colts LB Matthew Adams has been ejected.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 29, 2020
Threw a punch. [@paulkuharskynfl]pic.twitter.com/JNKG2IW6Ms
The Colts’ 3-year linebacker, Adams, went on Twitter to explain that he was merely trying to make a ‘football move’—but that maybe such a maneuver didn’t have its fully intended consequences. Regardless, Adams may not have necessarily had ill-intent behind the move:
I’ve definitely been practicing that simple club swim football move, that got me ejected today. Just trying to do the simple things better than anyone else. Life isn’t fair, just keep your head up pic.twitter.com/dCTxg7VUNF
— Matthew Adams (@all_in_adams) November 29, 2020
The former 2018 7th round pick of the Colts has a tackle in 4 games—having previously spent time on the team’s injured reserve with an ankle injury. He played in 35% of the Colts special teams snaps on Sunday prior to his late first half ejection.
With starting linebacker Bobby Okereke out with an ankle injury this past weekend, it’s good to know that Adams is available as additional depth—should Okereke miss another week. He’s a key special teams contributor with starting experience (9 career starts).