:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18413829/177604363.0.jpg)
We already looked at the offensive snap counts for the Cleveland Browns against the Indianapolis Colts. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the defensive snap counts.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Ahtyba Rubin | 41 | 57% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| DL | Phil Taylor | 34 | 47% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). |
| DL | Billy Winn | 27 | 38% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). |
| DL | Brian Sanford | 26 | 36% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| DL | John Hughes | 25 | 35% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
| DL | Ishmaa'ily Kitchen | 16 | 22% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | Hall Davis | 4 | 6% | No stats registered. |
| DL | Armonty Bryant | 1 | 1% | No stats registered. |
With Desmond Bryant out, Winn got some work in with the first-team defense. Taylor was an all-around beast against the Colts, particularly against the run. Despite being traded earlier in the week and brought back, Sanford saw more reps than any of the non-starters. Davis and Bryant were blessed with a couple of snaps. Dave Kruger and Jean-Baptiste did not see any reps, so they will be headed out the door soon.
Outside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| OLB | Paul Kruger | 46 | 64% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit. |
| OLB | Quentin Groves | 46 | 64% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| OLB | Justin Cole | 26 | 36% | 2 quarterback hits. |
| OLB | Kendrick Adams | 19 | 26% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
For as much of a beast as Taylor was on the defensive line, Kruger might have been more impressive at outside linebacker. With Sheard and Mingo down, Kruger showed glimpses of why he was worth the contract Cleveland awarded him. The Browns were thin at outside linebacker on the day, so everyone who wasn't hurt saw action.
Inside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| ILB | Craig Robertson | 41 | 57% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| ILB | D'Qwell Jackson | 41 | 57% | 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| ILB | James-Michael Johnson | 23 | 32% | 2 assists (2 combined). |
| ILB | Tank Carder | 23 | 32% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). |
| ILB | L.J. Fort | 16 | 22% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| ILB | Justin Staples | 7 | 10% | No stats registered. |
The Browns worked a lot of inside linebackers into the mix. It seemed like Robertson and Jackson did not play after half time. I was a bit surprised that Carder's reps were increased a lot this week, while Fort's were lessened. That was probably the one difference in trends compared to previous weeks. Smith did not play, but I think he may still be a practice squad guy.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Tashaun Gipson | 46 | 64% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 interception, 1 pass defended. |
| S | T.J. Ward | 45 | 62% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
| S | Johnson Bademosi | 24 | 33% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). |
| S | Josh Aubrey | 13 | 18% | 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| S | Jamoris Slaughter | 11 | 15% | 1 pass defended. |
| S | Kent Richardson | 7 | 10% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
It was Ward's debut, and the Browns didn't hold back his reps. It was also Slaughter's debut, but the Browns had to cut his reps short after he suffered another injury. That's probably the reason why Aubrey and Richardson got as many reps as they did; otherwise, I think Slaughter's utilization would've been on pace with Bademosi's. Gipson had a nice interception to make the final score less embarrassing.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB | Joe Haden | 46 | 64% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| CB | Buster Skrine | 44 | 61% | 4 tackles (4 combined). 2 passes defended. |
| CB | Leon McFadden | 30 | 42% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB | Abdul Kanneh | 26 | 36% | 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB | Akeem Auguste | 25 | 35% | 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| CB | Vernon Kearney | 13 | 18% | No stats registered. |
With Owens out, Skrine made his case to be a starter with a couple of pass breakups on veteran Reggie Wayne. McFadden made his preseason debut and saw a good amount of reps, but still appears to need some polishing. Wade did not play after suffering a shoulder injury in practice, so him not playing is not a negative indicator toward his roster odds.