INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 28: Bjoern Werner #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the Tennessee Titans during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Titans 41-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bjoern Werner
Bjoern Werner, the Colts first-round pick in 2013, has been working in a reserve role on defense after starting 15 games last season.
Sunday, the linebacker found a way to make his presence felt and in the process, he helped Indianapolis to its first win of the season.
The Colts sealed last the 35-33 win over the Titans by stuffing Tennessee fullback Jalston Fowler's two-point try, thanks in large part to Werner's efforts.
Fowler had scored touchdown running out of the same formation earlier and to hear the Werner tell it, the Colts were prepared for the Titans to go back to the same play once again.
"Everybody knew they were going to come back to it," Indianapolis linebacker Bjoern Werner said, per the team's official website.
Indeed they did, and the Colts were able to keep Fowler out of the endzone to preserve the victory. After the game, Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano credited Werner with helping the Colts deny Fowler and the Titans.
"(Werner) totally destroyed the whole left side of the line and made that whole play possible," Chuck Pagano said. "It was a phenomenal football play."
The push by Werner prevented Fowler from finding a hole in the line and enabled the defense to wrap him up for a loss.
It was a big play from a player who, thus far, has failed to live up to the expectations after being selected No. 24 overall three years ago.
"If you want to see a whole defense swarming to the ball, in a critical moment, that's that play," Werner said. "That's going to be a clinic right there."
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