Colts: 3 players desperate to perform vs Vikings

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 15: Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a made two point conversation during the fourth quarter in the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Colts DE Ben Banogu (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Ben Banogu

The Colts’ edge rushing group has garnered consistent praise at camp, as all of Tyquan Lewis, Kemoko Turay, Kwity Paye and Ben Banogu have looked sharp.

While there might be a spot for each of them on the 53-man roster, it goes without saying Banogu’s spot isn’t secure. Why else do you think the 2019 second-rounder was getting snaps deep into the fourth quarter?

Ben Banogu didn’t produce in the Colts’ first preseason game.

The Colts clearly want to see Banogu’s impressive camp translate into game action, and he unfortunately didn’t produce much. While he recovered a fumble and generated a few pressures, he posted a goose egg in the box score otherwise.

That isn’t what Indianapolis was hoping for after Banogu was largely unblockable through the first dozen practices of camp.

We still believe he can be an impact player in the DE rotation, but he needs to perform on Saturday to ensure he isn’t in danger of being cut. If he plays as much as he did against the Panthers, we need to see a sack and maybe a QB hit or two.

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