When almost half of the Denver Broncos' offense and Colts' defense went down in a heap of flailing limbs in the third quarter during Sunday's preseason game, Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn't really know what was happening.
The play was on the far side of the field near the 50-yard line, and Steichen didn't have a very clear view of the play. Neither did quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was standing on the sideline doing an in-game interview.
The only thing either man could really be sure of was that a Colts player was holding the ball and bursting out of the scrum toward the endzone, and that player was Micah Abraham.
What they hadn't seen was the cornerback strip the ball from Denver's Audric Estime, forcing a fumble that Abraham then recovered and carried with him 45 yards downfield for a touchdown. They saw it soon enough on the Jumbotron, however.
"I just enjoy seeing people ball out," Richardson said. "Just seeing guys just do their thing, it's a blessing."
"It was a hell of a play by him," Steichen said. "That's always great to see. You get these late-round draft picks, go make plays, you know what I mean? Go make a name for yourself."
Abraham was drafted in the sixth round (201st overall) in the 2024 NFL draft by the Colts and is constantly working to prove himself as an asset in the cornerback spot. He did just that Sunday.
"Everybody can't make that play," fellow cornerback Kenny Moore II said. "Guys at my caliber, or guys in my experience in the league, everyone just can't make that play as far as taking the ball from someone, recovering it and then obviously scoring. That was a great play by Micah."
Moore, in his eighth year with the Colts, has the veteran experience to make statements like that. He's also got the experience to be a mentor to younger players, and that's exactly what he has been for Abraham.
"That's who I look up to in the DB room" Abraham said. "Great guy, great mentor. Anything K-Mo does on the field, I'm going to try to do too."
So, when Abraham saw Moore get an interception of his own earlier in Sunday's game, he knew he had to do the same.
That doesn't mean he was necessarily expecting that specific series of events to happen, though, and he probably wasn't expecting to run all the way for a touchdown. Abraham was just happy to be out on the field and making plays with his teammates.
"It was an unbelievable feeling," Abraham said. "I still can't even believe it happened. But I was just having fun going through the end zone and finding a celebration to do."
Abraham's celebration consisted of him slinging the football to the ground and spread-eagling to make snow angels in the endzone as his teammates rushed in around him. He may have been extremely pleased with his play, but the celebration? Not so much.
"I've gotta work on my celebrations next time," Abraham joked.
Key words: next time.
He plans to do it again – and if (or when) he does, it probably won't surprise Moore or anyone else on the Colts.
"Everything he did today, that was on his own strength and ability," Moore said. "Micah has been working hard in practice each day, he's been trying his best to put it all together."
It all came together for Abraham on that one big play during Sunday's game, and even though the Colts didn't get the preseason victory, it will be difficult for Abraham to look back at his first NFL preseason game with anything but happiness.
Because while one play in a preseason game may not seem like it means much, it does.
"I know just as a young player in this league, you work so hard not knowing when that play will be, when that big play will be made," Moore said. "So yeah, I'm super happy for him and I know he'll be great once we have joint practices against Arizona."
The Colts' upcoming joint practices against the Arizona Cardinals will be another test and step to take for the rookie in terms of proving himself. He's ready
"It was just a blessing, and it was fun," Abraham said. "Hopefully we can do it again next week."
