The Indianapolis Colts were defeated by the Cleveland Browns, 21-18, on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium and have yet to win a preseason game.
Wins and losses in the preseason don’t matter. But performances during these games are crucial for the majority of the players on the roster. Fighting for roster spots and significant roles, having strong outings is vital during the month of August.
Here were the studs and duds from the Colts’ 21-18 loss against the Browns:
STUD: WR Deon Cain
After getting a taste of what Cain can do when healthy in the preseason opener, the Colts extended the former sixth-round pick’s playing time on Saturday. Though it wasn’t against the Browns’ first team, Cain shined while flashing that potential of being an impact player.
Pacing the Colts offense, Cain finished with seven receptions on nine targets for 80 yards—all team highs for the game. While he did struggle with some drops, especially a big one over the middle, his route running was strong, and it is apparent the Colts have a potential impact player on their hands.
DUD: OL Josh Andrews
With starting All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson inactive due to an ankle injury, Andrews got the start at left guard. He’s been working as the backup center but got the nod with the first-team offensive line. It wasn’t the night he was hoping for, to say the least.
Andrews struggled in both pass protection and run blocking. His technique was all over the place, which eventually got him called for a hold, and his base in run blocking was poor. There was a notable play in which he got knocked back and fell to the ground, which summed up exactly how his night went.
STUD: QB Jacoby Brissett
With starter Andrew Luck potentially unable to play in Week 1 of the regular season, it was important for Brissett to find a rhythm with the first-team offense. He did so in a big way and even though he only played one quarter, he was strong.
Brissett showed strong pocket mobility and awareness while firing off some impressive throws. His best one might have been on the 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Eric Ebron on a corner route. It was a perfectly placed ball on a throw that is incredibly difficult to make.
It was an extremely encouraging outing from Brissett, whose had an up-and-down preseason.
DUD: CB Marvell Tell
Coming off of a strong outing in the preseason opener, Tell was a player to watch for the Colts. However, it doesn’t appear he had as strong of a game against the Browns. Though he made a nice pass break-up late, Tell was also the player in coverage on a long pass down the sideline, which eventually set up a touchdown for the Browns.
Tell was also taken out of the run game pretty easily on several occasions. If he’s to grab that final roster spot in the cornerback room, he has to be more physical against the run. We won’t talk about the pass interference call because that looked like sound coverage and a solid play.
STUD: DE Kemoko Turay
Shining in training camp, it was a bit of a disappointment to see Turay fail to make big plays in the opener. He didn’t let it happen again on Saturday when the Browns came to town. Turay made his presence known early with a sack, using a swift move to the inside to apply pressure. He also had a few nice run stops.
With Jabaal Sheard out indefinitely, Turay is battling wiht several players on the edge for playing time. Al-Quadin Muhammad is his biggest competition and while he got the start, Turay had a notable performance.
DUD: CB Jalen Collins
It has been an up-and-down camp for Collins. Some reports have him taking a strong showing into the preseason, but then there are big plays that happen in practices and games that show otherwise. Collins didn’t make much of an impact on Saturday, and the notable action that made him a dud was getting beat one-on-one on a slant route at the goal line.
Collins, like Tell, is battling for his spot on the roster. If the Colts are going to keep Collins—who has a promising skill set—he has to step up when challenged, especially when it comes to man coverage in the red zone.
STUD: QB Chad Kelly
Working with the third team behind Jacoby Brissett and Phillip Walker on Saturday, Kelly shined yet again. This time, he did it as more of a passer. Kelly finished completing 12-of-17 passes for 115 yards and a beautiful touchdown pass to tight end Ross Travis over the middle.
There is a big competition going on between Kelly and Walker for the QB3 job. Walker had a better day than his preseason opener, but Kelly made big plays yet again and could be leading the train to be the QB3 in the Colts quarterback room.
