Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell had yet to reach the end zone this season, despite the team’s incredible start to the year. For a brief moment, it looked as if Mitchell was going to break that mark after hauling in an incredible catch against the Los Angeles Rams.
Then, suddenly, the Rams defense was coming onto the field after Mitchell committed a head-scratching turnover.
With the Colts facing a 3rd-and-4 deep in their own territory in the third quarter, quarterback Daniel Jones lofted a throw in Mitchell’s direction. Somehow, with a defender draped all over him in coverage, the wide receiver was able to pull in the throw with just one arm, fighting through contact the entire time.
From there, Mitchell used an incredible spin move in the open field to break free of a pair of defenders, and then outraced the rest of the Los Angeles to the goal line.
But just before reaching the end zone, he started to celebrate.
The ball came out before Mitchell broke the plane of the end zone, and with the football rolling through the back of the end zone, the play went into the books as a touchback.
And the Rams took over possession.
After the play, Mitchell’s teammates on both sides of the ball were spotted with the wide receiver, trying to boost his spirits after the cardinal sin of celebrating too soon.
It was a great play by Mitchell … until it wasn’t.