Colts see positives despite loss Sunday

Sep 18, 2017 - 10:36 PM INDIANAPOLIS -- While it wasn't a win, there were more than a few silver linings for the Indianapolis Colts after the 16-13 overtime home loss to Arizona on Sunday.

"I thought our guys played their tail off," head coach Chuck Pagano said. "Defensively, I thought we did a great job. I thought we got off to a great start in the first half. Kind of sputtered there towards the end of the (first) half. But you've got to finish games and we didn't do that.

"In tight games, which most of them are in the National Football League, you've got to put teams away and you've got to score touchdowns in the red area. But I'm encouraged."

The play of quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who made his first start for Indianapolis against the Cardinals, got Pagano's attention.

Brissett was acquired in a trade with New England two weeks ago and HE is still trying to absorb the Colts' offensive playbook quickly.

"I'm encouraged with the play of our quarterback. I thought Jacoby managed things really well in the short time that he's been here," the Colts coach said.

"He's got great poise. (He) made great decisions. Hung in there. He stands tall in the pocket. He's tough as damn nails. He could extend some plays. (Brissett) had good presence and good command and poise. It's like he's been there for a long, long time, which is encouraging."

Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer were able to have Brissett ready to play.

"The coaches did a great job with him and he did a great job," Pagano added.

Indianapolis dropped to 0-2 for the season with the loss to the Cardinals and will host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"There are no moral victories, " Pagano said. "We are 0-2 and it is what it is," the Colts coach stressed, looking ahead to the Browns game. "We'll go back to work and keep working to get better and find a way to win a game and come back at home.

"You just got to keep working. You've got to keep playing and find a way to win a game. And that's what we'll do."

--The Colts had won 60 straight games when leading by seven points entering the fourth quarter. Before losing Sunday to Arizona, Indianapolis last lost to Dallas (21-14, 11/19/06).

--Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has a .167 winning percentage through the first two weeks of the season dating to 2012. Pagano's winning percentage jumps to .691 over the final 14 games of a season.

--Indianapolis is 0-2 for the fourth consecutive season.

--Quarterback Jacoby Brissett knew he had made a bad play in overtime as soon as the ball left his hand. Brissett's pass attempt was picked off by Arizona safety Tyrann Mathieu.

"I saw it as soon as I let it go," the former North Carolina State quarterback said. "Dumb decision. I know better than that."

--Former Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis has officially been added to the team's coaching staff. Mathis had been serving as a volunteer assistant since the start of training camp. He has been working with the team's outside linebackers and defensive ends on pass-rush moves. Mathis' official title is pass rush consultant.

NOTES: QB Andrew Luck has already been ruled out of this week's game with Cleveland. Luck has yet to be cleared by doctors to resume a practice regimen. Head coach Chuck Pagano said that he has "no doubt" that Luck will be cleared to play this season. ... C Ryan Kelly (foot) is still listed as week-to-week. Kelly underwent surgery on his foot prior to the Colts' first preseason game with Detroit. He suffered the injury during the team's joint practice with the Lions. He is not expected to play against Cleveland, but no official decision on his availability will be made until later in the week. ... CB Vontae Davis (groin) returned for light practice last Friday, but was held out of the Arizona game. He remains listed as week-to-week. Davis has been sidelined since midway through the preseason schedule. While he didn't go through a complete workout late last week, his presence at Friday's practice looks like Davis is getting closer to returning to the starting lineup. ... CB/S T.J. Green saw very little playing time in the loss to the Cardinals Sunday. Green had started at cornerback against the Rams in the season opener and was in for 62 snaps. Due to injuries at safety, he was moved back to his former position in practice last week. His total playing time against Arizona amounted to one snap as a safety and two special teams plays. ... G/T Joe Haeg started at right tackle against Arizona. Haeg is the Colts' most versatile offensive lineman. He can play and start at both guard spots and has seen action at both left and right tackle. Haeg has also gotten work in practice at center. ... ILB Antonio Morrison (hyperextended elbow) might be cleared to return for practice this week. He did not play against Arizona Sunday. Morrison was hurt in the season-opening loss to the Rams and did not participate in workouts last week. His availability for the Cleveland game will be updated later this week. ... Rookie ILB Anthony Walker (hamstring) was held out of the Cardinals game Sunday. Walker was injured against the Los Angeles Rams in the Colts' season opener two weeks ago. He did not participate in practice last week. A final decision on Walker's availability won't be made until Saturday. ... S Darius Butler (hamstring) did not practice last week and did not play against Arizona. No decision has been made yet on his potential return to the starting lineup this week against Cleveland. He might be allowed to see limited practice this week. Butler is in his first season as a safety after being a nickel cornerback at the beginning of his NFL career. ... WR Chester Rogers (hamstring) appeared to be getting closer to returning last week. But head coach Chuck Pagano said Monday the second-year player has suffered a setback. Rogers, who has been hurt since early in training camp, is scheduled to get an MRI of the injury sometime this week.