Bean, other Colts backups rush for 3 scores to beat Cardinals 21-13 in preseason

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jason Bean (8) runs for a touchdown by beating Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Bailey (41) and Cardinals safety Verone McKinley III, right, during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jason Bean, Tyler Goodson and Zavier Scott each rushed for one touchdown Saturday night, helping the Indianapolis Colts hold off the mistake-prone Arizona Cardinals 21-13 in a matchup of backups.

Coaches Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon each opted to sit most of their starters after holding two joint practices earlier this week.

Bean took advantage of his most extensive playing time in two weeks by going 7 of 9 with 94 yards, one interception and the 1-yard TD run on fourth down to open the fourth quarter. Goodson started and ran six times for 35 yards and the first score of the game as he battles Zavier Scott for the No. 3 running back job. Scott had 11 carries for 55 yards and now has four TDs through the first two preseason games.

Clayton Tune started at quarterback for the Cardinals and was 8 of 10 with 79 yards and a 12-yard TD run late in the first half while Desmond Ridder finished the game 6 of 10 for 71 yards. Trey Benson carried nine times for 43 yards, but Arizona had nearly as many penalties (11) as first downs (13).

It was the first time these two franchises met in a preseason game since August 1967 when they called Baltimore and St. Louis home and were relying on quarterbacks John Unitas and Jim Hart.

But with so many key players, including Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., not playing, it didn’t get many style points. Harrison still has not appeared in a game at Lucas Oil Stadium, the stadium his Hall of Fame dad once called his home turf.

Indy took a 7-0 lead on Goodson’s 8-yard TD run late in the first quarter. Arizona answered with a 40-yard field goal early in the second quarter and capitalized on an interception when Tune scored on a 12-yard run in the final minute of the first half to make it 10-7.

Bean rebounded by opening the second half with a 75-yard drive, capped by Scott’s 6-yard scoring run, before punching it in himself to give Indy a 21-13 lead.

HOLDING CALLS

It was a tough night for Cardinals offensive lineman Christian Jones, a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas. The rookie was called for holding on three consecutive plays and four times in a string of 13 Arizona plays in the second quarter. Indy declined the fourth penalty to force fourth down.

CAITLIN CLARK APPEARANCE

Less than 24 hours after posting her 10th double-double of the season and leading the WNBA’s Indiana Fever to a third consecutive victory over the Phoenix Mercury, star player Caitlin Clark was in the crowd.

The former Iowa star got a first-hand glimpse of another former Hawkeye, Goodson, getting significant action. Clark plays again Sunday when Seattle visits Gainbridge Fieldhouse, just a few blocks away from Lucas Oil Stadium.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez did not play Saturday night because his wife, Cynthia, delivered the couple’s second child, a daughter.

Spencer Shrader, a rookie kicker from Notre Dame, replaced Sanchez as both the punter and holder on extra points and field goals. His first punt went 63 yards.

INJURIES

Cardinals: Offensive lineman Jon Gaines II left with a finger injury in the first half.

Colts: Cornerback JuJu Brents (nose), tight end Jelani Woods (toe) and backup offensive lineman Josh Sills (ankle) all left in the first half and did not return. Backup offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini hurt his right foot late in the game.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Close out the preseason Aug. 25 at Denver.

Colts: Visit Cincinnati on Thursday, two days after a joint practice against the Bengals.

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