Colts’ Walden fined for contact with official

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is pressured by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Erik Walden (93) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Indianapolis. Michael Conroy/AP

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts linebacker Erik Walden has been fined $27,562 after being ejected for making contact with an official during Sunday’s victory over Cincinnati.

Walden says he didn’t mean to bump umpire Bruce Stritesky late in the first half. Instead, Walden says he was trying to move around Stritesky so he could hear and see which Bengals player was talking to him.

Walden acknowledged he was surprised when the flag came out. He also showed reporters the letter he received from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Indianapolis (5-2), which led 10-0 at the time, beat Cincinnati 27-0 for its fifth consecutive victory.

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