7 quick thoughts from Buffalo Bills preseason win over the Colts

Rookie cornerbacks play well in their first NFL action

With Dane Jackson sitting out this game, it was Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford who got the start at cornerback for the defense. For most of training camp, it was assumed that Elam would start Week 1 in place of Tre’Davious White.

However, Benford has made a serious push as of late and had been rotating with Elam in the starting defense.

This was a good test for both as they would be facing Matt Ryan and the Colts’ starting offense and for the most part played very well. Elam would make the first big play on a pass breakup on third down on the Colts’ opening drive.

Benford would follow it up later in the game with a good pass breakup on Michael Pittman. The play was particularly impressive because Pittman tried to push Benford off at the top of his route but the rookie cornerback was able to stay with him and disrupt the pass.

The Bills did have a bit of a scare later in the game as Elam had to leave due to a head injury. He was cleared to return but the coaching staff likely decided they had seen enough from the rookie and he did not return.