Turns out, Isaiah Rodgers was responsible for the most explosive play from the Indianapolis Colts this year: Dallis Flowers’ kick return.
The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night but it was a close game. However, it didn’t look like it would be a tight contest in the first half. Indy went into the break trailing 16-3 and the offense couldn’t get anything going. But, on the first play of the second half, the Colts received a shot of momentum from an unsuspecting rookie.
Return man, and defensive back, Dallis Flowers, caught the second-half kickoff about eight yards deep in the end zone and returned it for 89 yards, setting the Colts up for a touchdown four plays later. Everyone knew Flowers was explosive because he showcased it throughout his college career. However, that was Flowers’ first kick return for Indianapolis this season. How did the rookie end up back there to set up this return?
The answer is Isaiah Rodgers. Rodgers, who is Indianapolis’ top return man, actually went to special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone during halftime and told him to put Flowers back to receive the kick because Rodgers felt that Dallis Flowers could go get a big return. Rodgers was right.
Was wondering why the Colts pulled Isaiah Rodgers from kickoffs Monday night, so asked him.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 30, 2022
He said he went to ST coordinator Bubba Ventrone and told him to give Dallis Flowers a chance, sensing a big return was there. Flowers responded w/ 89-yd runback that set up the TD.
Isaiah Rodgers told Colts to let Dallis Flowers return kick against Steelers
This was an intuitive and selfless move by Rodgers, who’s a pretty good return man himself. That’s how he first made his name with Indianapolis. Spending a lot of time with Flowers on special teams and as a defensive back, Rodgers clearly knew what Flowers was capable of and wanted to help him get that opportunity to showcase it and help the team. Does that mean Rodgers won’t be getting his returner spot back? Probably, but it’s not clear.
Rodgers is still listed as the kick returner on Indianapolis’ depth chart but it’s probably safe to assume everyone will see more of Flowers moving forward. That also works out for Rodgers though since he is emerging as a quality defender. Lessening his special teams reps could make way for the Colts to give Rodgers even more defensive snaps, something fans have been very vocal about wanting to see.
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