Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts: Vontaze Burfict Not Suspended
By Adam Hughes
Aug 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals have had a rough couple of weeks, and this week figures to be just as tough thanks to a road trip to play the red-hot Indianapolis Colts. The Bengals did get a bit of good news on Wednesday, though, when linebacker Vontaze Burfict was fined, rather than suspended, for ankle-twisting against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.
While the Colts rank a middle-of-the-pack 16th in rushing yards per game, with 115.3, they’re a good bet to go over that number against the Bengals’ struggling rushing D. With Burfict out for any reason, the Colts’ outlook on the ground would improve dramatically.
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In truth, a suspension would have been appealed, so the chances that Burfict would have missed the Indy game, aside from injuries, were probably low. But the Bengals are going to have their hands full at Lucas Oil Stadium no matter what and need all hands on deck.
When the NFL handed down a $25,000 fine to Burfict on Wednesday, it came with the warning that he is a “repeat offender” and the insinuation that future penalties would be stiffer. That almost assuredly means a suspension is in his future if the shenanigans continue.