PHX Reporter

The starters sat again for the Cardinals against the Colts Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, providing more opportunities for players to win and solidify jobs.

Rookie running back Trey Benson performed well in James Conner's stead, although a 20-yard run was negated by a penalty. Quarterback Clayton Tune also bolstered his chances of being named QB2. Pass rushers Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje, and Cam Thomas had notable moments.

The Cardinals ultimately lost the game, 21-13. Coach Jonathan Gannon expressed his dissatisfaction but emphasized the ongoing process of roster evaluation.

"One of our modes of play is our brain and we didn't use it tonight, and that falls on me," Gannon said. "We can't self-destruct and we did that in all three phases. We've got to get that cleaned up."

The Cardinals had 11 penalties during the game. Despite this, Gannon noted he was pleased with how Tune finished—his final play was a 12-yard touchdown scramble, completing 8-of-10 passes for 79 yards without turnovers. The Cardinals led 10-7 at halftime.

"We've got to start faster and avoid some of those sacks, get the ball out quickly," Tune said. "But I liked how we finished."

Desmond Ridder played the second half, completing 6-of-10 passes for 71 yards; however, 32 of those yards came on the final drive as time expired.

Benson showed improvement in his second game, gaining 43 yards on nine carries despite having a significant run nullified by a penalty. He exited early in the second quarter.

"I'm really just getting a feel for everything," Benson said. "The more I rep the better... I'm not done. I still have a lot more to show. That was just a sneak peek."

Tune's performance included scrambling right before halftime for an untouched 12-yard touchdown, giving his team the lead after rookie safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson intercepted fourth-string Colts QB Jason Bean.

"I was real special," Taylor-Demerson said about his interception. "I was telling JT (Jalen Thompson) and Budda (Baker) all day today I was going to get one... The play finally came and I caught it."

As teams traded scores in the second half, the Cardinals stalled at the Colts' 9-yard line and settled for a field goal. With a one-point lead, Colts' fourth-string QB Jason Bean led a TD drive culminating in his own 1-yard run on fourth down.

Defensively, the Cardinals recorded three first-half sacks from L.J. Collier, Cam Thomas, and Xavier Thomas while maintaining consistent pressure on pass plays. In addition to Taylor-Demerson's interception, cornerback Kei'Trel Clark forced a fumble recovered by Dante Stills.

"The takeaways were why we stayed in the game," Gannon said. "Without them, we get the brakes beat off of us."

After two joint practices during the week, Gannon again sat his starters: first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr., Darius Robinson; starting offensive linemen; receivers Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch and Zay Jones; tight ends Trey McBride and Elijah Higgins; defensive linemen Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and Roy Lopez; linebackers Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck Kyzir White and Mack Wilson Sr.; defensive backs Garrett Williams Sean Murphy-Bunting Budda Baker Jalen Thompson did not play.