Indy Writer Wonders if Marvin Harrison Is Just 'Going Through Motions'

The Colts won arguably their biggest game of an up-and-down season Sunday, defeating the Steelers 24-20 in Pittsburgh. Peyton Manning looked as sharp as ever, the offensive line kept him well-protected, and Reggie Wayne was his usual productive self.

Marvin Harrison ended the day with three catches for 37 yards, but he dropped two potentially big passes -- including a likely touchdown -- and his performance has the Indianapolis Star's Bob Kravitz pretty worked up.

In addition to suggesting that Harrison, the 36-year-old, 13-year vet, "either ... can't play anymore or he has lost interest in playing," Kravitz also offers this very frank assessment:

Let's be blunt: [Harrison] looked like he was going through the motions Sunday. He made a halfhearted effort on a mildly overthrown deep ball that was just beyond reach. And on a sure touchdown pass later in the game, he developed a bad case of gator arms, dropped the ball and fell to the ground in apparent pain.

Then it got downright farcical. The Colts, who are notoriously slow and imprecise with in-game injury reports, quickly ruled Harrison's return "questionable'' after he suffered what they termed a concussion. Minutes later, on the Colts' next possession, Harrison was back on the field.

Listen, the Colts would never, ever, ever let a concussed player back onto the football field. The whole thing was a ruse to protect Harrison and give him an alibi. It's one thing to lose a step; it's another to lose desire.

I have no idea if Harrison was half-assing it, but he is old and recovering from some lingering knee troubles. And let's be honest: he'll never be mistaken for Hines Ward; Marvin routinely does the ol' catch-and-duck whenever he finds himself in the middle of the field and about to get smacked by a linebacker or safety. That he short-armed a pass down the sidelines with Steelers safety/Chuck Norris disciple Tyrone Carter bearing down on him isn't altogether shocking, either. In fact, it's sorta expected.

Maybe he's done -- just doesn't have anything left. Which probably means he'll be gone after the season. But in the meantime, Manning still has Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark. Put differently, it could be a lot worse.