ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills weren't afforded the chance to test their new-look defense against Andrew Luck in Saturday's preseason-opening 19-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but coach Rex Ryan should still be smiling.
On three offensive drives, Ryan's retooled first-team defense held the Scott Tolzien-led Colts offense to a net 17 yards and one first down, smothering Indianapolis' offensive line in the process. For a group playing without injured rookies Reggie Ragland and Shaq Lawson, as well as resting veterans Stephon Gilmore and Kyle Williams, its dominant performance was an encouraging sign after a disappointing 2015 campaign.
QB depth chart: There was nothing unexpected from this group. Tyrod Taylor played only the first drive of the game, completing 2-of-3 passes for 7 yards. Following Taylor's five snaps, EJ Manuel entered the game at quarterback for the second possession and played through the first series of the third quarter. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown, avoiding major mistakes that have plagued him throughout his career. Fourth-round pick Cardale Jones replaced Manuel in the third quarter and was inconsistent, completing 11-of-21 passes for 162 yards and a late-game 4-yard touchdown to Jarrett Boykin.
Who got hurt? Outside linebacker IK Enemkpali was carted off late in the second quarter with what coach Rex Ryan told the team's television broadcast appeared to be a "major knee injury." His leg twisted awkwardly as he attempted to rush the passer on an incompletion by Tolzien. The Bills are already without outside linebackers Shaq Lawson (shoulder; expected to return in October) and Manny Lawson (pectoral; expected to return by Week 1). Enemkpali had been running with the first team in practice, although Rex Ryan said this week that veteran Lorenzo Alexander would have gotten the start in place of the Lawsons if the season started now. Undrafted rookies Bryson Albright and Eric Striker will have a stronger chance to earn roster spots if Enemkpali is out for an extended period.
When it was starters vs. starters, the Bills looked ... : Better on defense than offense. Both teams had several players out because of injuries or for precautionary reasons, including Gilmore and Williams, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, offensive linemen Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito and safety Aaron Williams for the Bills. In addition, the Bills played Taylor, center Eric Wood and running back LeSean McCoy for only one series. But for the remaining starters, who played through the first quarter, their performance was generally better on defense. The first-team offense mounted a 69-yard scoring drive which included a 20-yard Mike Gillislee run, but that unit stalled quickly on its other two possessions.
A surprise player who impressed: Tight end Chris Gragg has been limited to 24 catches in three career seasons, mostly as a No. 2 or No. 3 tight end on the depth chart. But he made a push for more playing time Saturday, blocking a Pat McAfee punt in the first quarter that tumbled into the end zone for a safety. Gragg later made his presence known in the red zone, catching a 19-yard touchdown from Manuel. The Bills did not get ideal red-zone production last season from starting tight end Charles Clay, which could open the door for more opportunities for Gragg in that area.
Maybe that dude could start: He's not going to start because of the talent ahead of him, but sixth-round pick Kevon Seymour has been impressive since he arrived with the team in the spring. He continued to make plays on the ball Saturday, breaking up an attempted two-point conversion pass in the second quarter after he entered with the second-team defense. Seymour also committed a defensive pass-interference penalty, but he continues to show the requisite aggressiveness and ball skills of an NFL cornerback. The Bills' cornerback pipeline -- which has already produced Gilmore, Ronald Darby and Nickell Robey in recent seasons -- continues to churn, which is a credit to the team's scouting department.
One reason to be concerned: Gragg's blocked punt was the high point for the Bills' special teams, which had an otherwise shaky night. They committed four penalties: an unsportsmanlike conduct against running back James Wilder Jr. in the first quarter; a holding against cornerback Jonathan Dowling in the second quarter; a holding against Albright in the second quarter that nullified what would have been a Walter Powell kick return across midfield; and another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Wilder in the fourth quarter. They also had an illegal-formation penalty on a fourth-quarter punt that was declined. The Bills had 27 special-teams penalties last season, second most in the NFL.