INDIANAPOLIS - Matt Goncalves’ $8,847 fine is on the verge of being wiped away.
The Colts’ starting right guard was penalized after what the NFL called an objectionable celebration following Tyler Warren’s 1-yard touchdown at Kansas City in Week 2. On the play, Warren used the football to act out opening a can, then handed it to Goncalves, who proceeded to chug it.
Goncalves said afterward that he was chugging his favorite drink: Coca Cola.
The league didn’t see it that way at the time, but a joint NFL and NFLPA statement Wednesday changed the landscape. The new guidance says fines can be issued for gestures that depict violence, including the use of guns or other weapons, or gang-related signs; gestures that depict smoking or drug use; and gestures that are sexual in nature.
It also included a key line: “conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline.’’
That language makes Goncalves’ case a clear fit. Earlier Wednesday, similar fines against San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson had already been rescinded.
Before practice Wednesday, Goncalves said he still hadn’t heard from the NFL about the status of his fine. He also repeated that he was chugging a Coke, not beer. Under the new clarification, the difference no longer matters.
The Colts also added veteran Carl Lawson, a move driven by the expected absence of starting defensive end Arden Key, who is likely to miss a few games with a hamstring injury.
Lawson becomes the seventh player signed over the past two years with ties to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from Anarumo’s Cincinnati days. That group includes Lawson, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, Germaine Pratt and Joe Bachie, along with defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt, Xavien Howard and Mike Hilton.
“Really appreciate them giving me the opportunity to come here and win games,’’ Lawson said. “Talked to Lou, talked to coach (Marion) Hobby, talked to Chris Ballard and everybody gave me a green light to come in.’’
His comfort level with Anarumo was obvious.
“Just that relationship that you build with going through the trenches, going to war with somebody,’’ Lawson said. “Any part of football, you have a type of rapport with that person.
“I probably played some of my best football playing with Lou. It was a no-brainer for me.
Lawson, listed at 6-2 and 260 pounds, has spent time staying ready by working out in South Florida. A fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2017, he has 32 sacks and 32 tackles for loss in 90 career games. He appeared in just one game in 2025 with Baltimore.
On the injury front, five Colts did not practice Wednesday: center Tanor Bortolini (ankle), linebackers Jaylon Carlies (ribs) and Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring) and Key.
The team also opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Will Mallory, who is on injured reserve with a thumb injury.
If Bortolini can’t go Sunday at Pittsburgh, the Colts would likely turn to Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, who came over in an August 30 trade with Buffalo.
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