The Indianapolis Colts are now halfway through their preseason games following the 21-18 loss against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
While the wins don’t matter in the preseason, there are still storylines and notes to take away from the games, especially as we inch closer to the final roster cuts ahead of the regular season.
Here are four takeaways from the Colts’ preseason loss to the Browns:
Jacoby Brissett looked much better
Working with the first-team offense, Brissett looked much smoother and more accurate with his limited pass attempts. His pocket mobility and awareness shined throughout the first quarter, evading free pass rushers and showing off some solid footwork to go along with a quick release.
Brissett’s best throw came on a beautiful corner route to tight end Eric Ebron in the red zone. With a defender draped all over him, Ebron secured the catch on what was a bullet from Brissett.
The Colts aren’t sure yet who the starter in the regular-season opener will be, but this was an encouraging sign in case Brissett does have to step in for Andrew Luck.
Offensive line must clean it up
It was a rough day for the Colts offensive line. They accounted for the majority of the 16 penalties committed, and it was an extremly tough outing when it came to run blocking.
From the interior to the edge, the Colts’ offensive front struggled to get any type of push in the run game. The Colts backfield took 18 carries for 57 yards, averaging out to a measly 3.17 yards per attempt. That’s not the way to a top-five rushing unit.
Of course, the Colts were without All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson, who was out with an ankle injury, but the Colts’ rushing attack has been a concern this preseason. It continued on Saturday.
Deon Cain flashes his potential
The former sixth-round pick seemingly has made his way all the way back from the torn ACL that claimed his rookie season. The Clemson product paced the Colts offense with seven receptions on nine targets for 80 yards. All of those numbers led the passing corps. It would have been more if not for an untimely drop and a holding penalty.
Cain is still working his way up the depth chart. There is still a massive competition going on in the wide receiver room, but he continues to solidify his spot on the 53-man roster. Another solid outing next week against the Bears will officially lock him into place.
Young pass rushers make an impact
The Colts are still trying to figure out who will see the majority of snaps at defensive end with veteran Jabaal Sheard out an indefinite time following a minor knee procedure. They saw some flashes from their young pass rushers in the loss.
It was an encouraging outing for second-year defensive end Kemoko Turay, who showed an impressive inside move to record a sack and then again to blow up a run to the left. Al-Quadin Muhammad got the start and powered his way into the backfield a few times. There were even some flashes from rookie second-round pick Ben Banogu off the edge. Carroll Phillips also showed off his bullrush to have another solid game.
It is likely the Colts use a rotation at the spot until Sheard returns, but it was an encouraging outing from the corps of young pass rushers at a position that must have production in 2019.
