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Eason, Colts eke past Vikings 12-10; offenses need more work
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts will pick a No. 2 quarterback between Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger, with the strong possibility they'll also be choosing a fill-in starter until Carson Wentz is ready to return.
Given their inexperience, the Colts aren't about to rush the decision.
Eason passed for 132 yards and directed two field goal drives, and the Colts beat the Minnesota Vikings 12-10 on Saturday night.
''There were some good things, and there were a lot of things to clean up,'' said Eason, who went 16 for 27 without a turnover.
Troy Dye returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown to highlight a sharper showing by Minnesota's backups, one of two deflected-then-picked-off passes thrown by Ehlinger, the Indianapolis sixth-round draft pick. Ehlinger started and led two field goal drives in the first half.
Dye snagged the ball that was tipped at the line by Armon Watts and glanced off Parris Campbell's hands in the first quarter, running it in for the only touchdown the Vikings have in their two exhibition games.
Ehlinger was 8 for 13 for 70 yards, playing with about half starters and half backups. He was also intercepted by undrafted rookie defensive tackle Jordon Scott, who grabbed the ball after it glanced off wide receiver Ashton Dulin.
''We're both such young guys. We're trying to develop ourselves and learn as much as possible,'' Ehlinger said. ''We understand this is a marathon, not a sprint, and hopefully we both are able to have long careers and this is just a small step in that journey.''
Playing three safe series behind the starting offensive line, Kirk Cousins had his first action of this preseason for the Vikings and finished 5 for 7 for 23 yards. He was sacked once by first-round draft pick Kwity Paye, who beat left tackle Rashod Hill off the edge.
''I feel really good. I felt really clean tonight, as far as just seeing coverage and getting through my reads. I felt like we moved quickly. I felt like it was a really smooth operation, and that was encouraging,'' Cousins said.
The Vikings failed to convert 11 of their 13 third downs. Greg Joseph missed a 51-yard field goal wide right, the only time Cousins and company were in scoring range. Joseph later made a 49-yard try, after a possession with backup Jake Browning behind center.
Browning went 6 for 15 for 82 yards, and rookie Kellen Mond was 6 for 12 for 61 yards.
Coach Mike Zimmer sounded at least mildly concerned by the overall performance from first to third string, and said he probably will play the starters on offense in the final exhibition. The Vikings have finished just six of 23 preseason possessions in opposing territory.
''We don't really have much rhythm going on there,'' Zimmer said.
DYE HARD
Dye, the second-year linebacker from Oregon drafted in the fourth round, was one of several standouts among the second-string defense that Zimmer was so disappointed in after the first exhibition, a 33-6 defeat by Denver.
With the retirement this week of Cam Smith, who was trying to return after open heart surgery, the depth chart is wide open behind 2019 All-Pro Eric Kendricks, four-time Pro Bowl pick Anthony Barr and newcomer Nick Vigil.
BEHAVE, PLEASE
The game was enough of a yawner even by preseason standards that the fans spiced up the wave late in the third quarter by tossing their souvenir programs in the air during their turn to stand, prompting two warnings from the public address announcer.
RESTING UP
Colts: WR T.Y. Hilton, RB Jonathan Taylor, LB Darius Leonard and TE Jack Doyle were the most prominent players held out for precaution.
Vikings: Defensive starters Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson and Xavier Woods were on the sideline again, as was RB Dalvin Cook.
INJURY REPORT
Colts: LG Quenton Nelson, who has the same type of foot injury as Wentz, remained out along with fellow OL starters Ryan Kelly (elbow) and Eric Fisher (Achilles). ... Backup DT Antwaun Woods hurt his hamstring in the first quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson was held out again, coming off a minor shoulder injury that occurred two weeks ago in practice. Barr (undisclosed) was also a spectator, as was rookie LT Christian Darrisaw (groin), who has fallen behind Hill on the depth chart. ... WR Adam Thielen played the first series but took a knee to the thigh during an incompletion and did not return.
UP NEXT
Colts: at Detroit on Friday night.
Vikings: at Kansas City on Friday night.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 40:20 | 21:26 |
1st Downs | 19 | 8 |
Rushing | 5 | 2 |
Passing | 11 | 6 |
Penalty | 3 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 6-17 | 2-13 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 288 | 220 |
Total Plays | 73 | 53 |
Avg Gain | 3.9 | 4.2 |
Net Yards Rushing | 86 | 64 |
Rush Attempts | 33 | 17 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.6 | 3.8 |
Net Yards Passing | 202 | 156 |
Comp. - Att. | 24-40 | 17-34 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.1 | 4.3 |
Penalties - Yards | 1-5 | 6-51 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 1 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-0 | 1-0 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 7-46.4 | 8-45.1 |
Return Yards | 79 | 119 |
Punts - Returns | 6-33 | 4-25 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 2-46 | 2-63 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-31 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-2 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Eason
9 QB
5 FPTS
|
J. Eason | 16/27 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Ehlinger
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
S. Ehlinger | 8/13 | 70 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Wilkins
20 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Wilkins | 5 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hines
21 RB
2 FPTS
|
N. Hines | 6 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. LeMay
42 RB
2 FPTS
|
B. LeMay | 11 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
35 RB
1 FPTS
|
D. Jackson | 4 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Ehlinger
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
S. Ehlinger | 3 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mack
25 RB
1 FPTS
|
M. Mack | 3 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Eason
9 QB
5 FPTS
|
J. Eason | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Patmon
10 WR
6 FPTS
|
D. Patmon | 5 | 4 | 60 | 0 | 28 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Pascal
14 WR
3 FPTS
|
Z. Pascal | 4 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Thomas
47 TE
2 FPTS
|
J. Thomas | 3 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hines
21 RB
2 FPTS
|
N. Hines | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Green
41 TE
1 FPTS
|
F. Green | 2 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. LeMay
42 RB
2 FPTS
|
B. LeMay | 3 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Strachan
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Strachan | 4 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Pittman
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Pittman | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
35 RB
1 FPTS
|
D. Jackson | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Vaughns
85 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Vaughns | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harris
12 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Harris | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilkins
20 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Wilkins | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Dulin
16 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Dulin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Granson
83 TE
0 FPTS
|
K. Granson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Campbell
1 WR
0 FPTS
|
P. Campbell | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Alie-Cox
81 TE
0 FPTS
|
M. Alie-Cox | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
G. Odum
30 DB
|
G. Odum | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Franklin
44 OLB
|
Z. Franklin | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Okereke
58 ILB
|
B. Okereke | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Muhammad
97 DT
|
A. Muhammad | 2-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Chachere
36 DB
|
A. Chachere | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Bolton
40 LB
|
C. Bolton | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jefferson
43 LB
|
M. Jefferson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Adams
49 OLB
|
M. Adams | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Rochell
91 DE
|
I. Rochell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Blackmon
32 SAF
|
J. Blackmon | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Davis
29 FS
|
S. Davis | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Paye
51 DE
|
K. Paye | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Chesley
47 CB
|
A. Chesley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Willis
37 SAF
|
K. Willis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Campbell
33 DB
|
I. Campbell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Rodgers
34 CB
|
I. Rodgers | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Hill
24 DB
|
H. Hill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Banogu
52 DE
|
B. Banogu | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Stewart
90 DT
|
G. Stewart | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Kaufusi
41 LB
|
I. Kaufusi | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Williams
66 DL
|
C. Williams | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Moore
23 CB
|
K. Moore | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Brown
65 DT
|
A. Brown | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
E. Pineiro
5 K
9 FPTS
|
E. Pineiro | 3/3 | 50 | 0/0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||
R. Blankenship
3 K
3 FPTS
|
R. Blankenship | 1/1 | 47 | 0/0 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. Sanchez
8 P
|
R. Sanchez | 7 | 46.4 | 1 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
I. Rodgers
34 CB
0 FPTS
|
I. Rodgers | 1 | 31.0 | 31 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. LeMay
42 RB
2 FPTS
|
B. LeMay | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Vaughns 85 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Vaughns | 3 | 5.7 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Rodgers 34 CB
0 FPTS
|
I. Rodgers | 2 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||