Gardner Minshew touchdown pass helps Colts take halftime lead
Minshew #Minshew
Stephen Holder, ESPNDec 16, 2023, 06:11 PM ET
CloseStephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
INDIANAPOLIS — D.J. Montgomery bobbled an opportunity for his first NFL touchdown. But he made sure not to waste a second chance minutes later.
The Colts wide receiver, promoted Friday from the practice squad, caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew to give the Colts their first lead against the Steelers in a game with major playoff implications.
Montgomery ran a shallow crosser underneath the Pittsburgh defense, with the Steelers’ defenders losing him in traffic. Minshew delivered the ball while Montgomery was on the run, and he eluded a pair of would-be tacklers before reaching the goal line.
The journeyman receiver had just dropped what looked like an easy touchdown reception on the previous possession, with Minshew finding him on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Montgomery failed to survive the ground on the catch in the back of the end zone and the pass was ruled incomplete.
Montgomery was in the game because the Colts lost No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to a vicious hit in the second quarter. He was diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Colts lead the Steelers 14-13 at halftime.