D.J. Montgomery worked for five years for the ball Gardner Minshew II tossed him on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter.
Five years of working on training camp rosters and practice squads, attempting to make an NFL roster, trying out for the USFL, then returning to the NFL resulted in a ball heading his way between the “O” and “L” in Indianapolis in the Colts’ end zone. Montgomery received the pass, rolled to the ground, and saw his first career score slip through his fingers.
It went incomplete.
Not only did Montgomery lose out on a career milestone, but the Colts also lost possession of the ball and trailed the Steelers, 13-7, in the first half of Saturday’s Week 15 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. Montgomery moved to the sidelines and took control of the drop. His teammates, who had been seeing him light up workouts at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center for months, had his back.
“Some other guys could’ve shut down after that and took all their confidence,” tight end Mo Alie-Cox said. “But we went up and told him, bro, we got your back, we know what you can do — just come back, bounce back.”
With less than 40 seconds left in the second quarter, Minshew returned to Montgomery and completed a deep in-breaker for a 34-yard gain. A few plays later, Minshew turned his way again, this time flinging a pass to the near sideline, which Montgomery grabbed and ran into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown.
After all, Montgomery scored his first career touchdown, giving the Colts a one-point lead at halftime of a crucial game against the Steelers. The Colts eventually won 30-13.
“This is football. It has its ups and downs,” Montgomery explained. “You just have to forget it one play at a time.” When I get to the sideline, all of my teammates are right there, as if it’s going to come right back, just keep going, we know you can make that play.”
Montgomery was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for the Colts’ last three games, and he was added to the 53-man roster on Friday. Montgomery, who joined the Cleveland Browns’ offseason roster as an undrafted free agent from Austin Peay in 2019, won his first spot on a 53-man NFL roster.
While fans at Lucas Oil Stadium may have only recently become acquainted with Montgomery, his teammates have known what kind of player he is for months.
“Just seeing what he does in practice, it’s no surprise what he did today,” cornerback Jaylon Jones said. “Definitely a great player.”
Montgomery has been selected the Colts’ internal scout team player of the week many times this season, according to Minshew, Alie-Cox, and linebacker EJ Speed. Montgomery, according to wide receiver Alec Pierce, is a “inspiration” to the squad because of his tough work ethic. Montgomery’s first career score, according to fellow wideout Josh Downs, was the result of “putting in the work when nobody’s watching.”
The Colts clearly value Montgomery, and even after he scored, there was plenty of faith in his ability to deliver in the next big moment.
“He’s a super sure-handed guy,” Pierce remarked. “He shows that in practice— every day he makes some crazy plays in practice.”
But the Colts only needed Montgomery to step up because Michael Pittman Jr. suffered a concussion just after passing 1,000 yards for the season.
When Steelers safety Damontae Kazee sunk his shoulder and helmet into Pittman’s head while diving for a Minshew throw, he was called for unnecessary roughness and dismissed. Trainers rushed to Pittman as players from both teams took a knee around him. Pittman eventually walked off the field but did not return with a concussion.
“I’m glad Pitt was able to get up and move around, because those are one of those hits that you just don’t know,” Downs said. “Really, I’m glad he’s good.”
Head coach Shane Steichen said after the game Pittman was in “good spirits,” and he posted an encouraging update to X (formerly Twitter) following the Colts’ win:
I’m all good😁
— MPJ (@MikePitt_Jr) December 17, 2023
The hallmark of the Colts’ victory over the Steelers – and their entire season – was resiliency, and no one personified that more than Montgomery on Saturday. It’s one thing to fill in for a 1,000-yard receiver; it’s quite another to fill in and still make a play after dropping your first career score.
But, despite losing their most productive pass catcher, the Colts anticipated nothing less from Montgomery.
“He’s been working his tail off on the scout team,” Steichen explained. “He made plays and plays and plays on scout team all year, and it’s like we’ve got to get this guy on the active roster.” We’d obviously like to have that (first) one back. But then he gets another chance and makes a tremendous play for the touchdown. He deserves credit, and Reggie (Wayne) deserves credit for getting him ready to go. It was enjoyable.”
