Anthony Richardson Sr. orchestrated two first-quarter scoring drives Saturday, making a real case for the Colts’ backup quarterback job in their preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. With QB1 Daniel Jones sidelined, Richardson got the start at Lucas Oil Stadium, and honestly, the guy showed up. Indy came into the game as 1.5-point favorites, and Richardson clearly felt the pressure to perform.
Richardson Flashes Potential in Crucial Quarter
Playing the entire first quarter, Richardson put up a stat line that definitely caught some eyes. He went 7-for-10 passing for 80 yards, no touchdowns, zero interceptions, and added a single rush yard, though he did take one sack. Both of his drives at the helm resulted in field goals for the Colts. While he couldn’t punch it into the end zone, you saw some seriously positive plays. Remember that 24-yard bullet he slung to veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen? Yeah, that was the kind of throw you want to see from a guy fighting for his spot. His final drive ended with that sack and a punt, and then Riley Leonard came in for the second quarter, but Richardson had already made his statement.
Contract Year Stakes and a Rocky Road So Far
Let’s be real, this wasn’t a perfect outing, but it was a massive step up from his first two preseason games. Seriously, he was a combined 14-of-23 for 169 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception before this game. Not exactly inspiring, right? The guy was picked fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft, and until now, he hasn’t come close to living up to those sky-high expectations. But here’s the kicker: Richardson is in a contract year. If he gets more chances to play and keeps this kind of performance going, it could mean a better opportunity somewhere else in 2027. Plus, with Daniel Jones coming off a torn Achilles, there’s no guarantee he’s playing all 17 games this season. So, whoever wins this QB2 battle, whether it’s Richardson or Leonard, could end up being a seriously key performer for the Colts in 2026.
The Colts have to cut their roster down to 53 players before Sunday’s deadline, then it’s full steam ahead for their regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 13. Richardson definitely gave the coaches something to chew on before those cuts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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