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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

Analyzing Colts’ snap counts in preseason opener vs. Bills

The Indianapolis Colts opened the preseason with a late-game loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.

There were plenty of takeaways from the first game of the preseason even though the starters only played a little more than a quarter of the game. It was the first time this unit got together in live game action against an opponent other than themselves.

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Snap counts during the preseason don’t mean as much on the surface, but we can take some notes and observations from them.

Here’s a look at the offensive, defensive and special teams snap counts from the preseason opener:

Offense

Analysis

  • Rookie LT Bernhard Raimann led all players in offensive snaps. Considering his lack of experience playing left tackle, it’s not much of a surprise to see him playing well into the fourth quarter.
  • The same goes for starting RG Danny Pinter, who is going into his first year as the starter.
  • Rookie WR Alec Pierce was second among the wideouts in snaps. He was on the field for the majority of first-team work and was listed as a starter.
  • The starting offense played 19 (26%) snaps.

Defense

Analysis

  • Rookie S Nick Cross got the start at strong safety and played the entire time the first-team defense did.
  • Undrafted rookie LB Jojo Domann led all linebackers in snaps played and had a strong game.
  • DT R.J. McIntosh (55%) and DE Ben Banogu (50%) led the defensive line in snaps played. They both came into the game with the second-team defensive line.
  • CB Brandon Facyson and LB Zaire Franklin opened the game with the starting unit.

Special Teams

Analysis

  • K Rodrigo Blankenship made his lone field goal and extra-point attempt while K Jake Verity missed his only extra-point attempt.
  • Undrafted rookie CB Dallis Flowers got some run as a kick returner while wide receiver Keke Coutee got some snaps as the punt returner.
  • Rookie DB Marcel Dabo, who’s part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, played one snap in his debut.

Did Not Play

Analysis

  • Almost all of these players are dealing with injuries that are keeping them out of practice or are coming off of injuries, and they’re being eased back in.
  • WR Mike Strachan (knee) and LB Shaquille Leonard (back) are still on the PUP list due to their respective injuries.
  • RB Jonathan Taylor didn’t play as a precaution and is not expected to play at all during the preseason.
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