Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen announced Tuesday that quarterback Anthony Richardson will start the team’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday.
Richardson is scheduled to play the first half, with fellow quarterback Riley Leonard entering for the second half, according to a report from local sports anchor Angela Moryan.
The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It marks the first of three preseason contests for the Colts before the regular season begins.
Daniel Jones, the projected starter recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered last season, will not play in any preseason games, Steichen indicated. Jones has progressed well in rehabilitation and participated in joint practices this week, where quarterbacks are protected from contact.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida, is competing with Leonard for the primary backup role behind Jones. The 24-year-old has dealt with inconsistency, injuries and a midseason orbital fracture that affected his vision in 2025.
Career statistics show Richardson has completed 177 of 350 passes for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, posting a 67.8 passer rating across 17 games with 15 starts. He has also rushed 115 times for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing the dual-threat ability that made him a high draft selection.
Leonard, selected in the sixth round of the 2025 draft after playing at Duke and Notre Dame, appeared in five games last season. He completed 39 of 67 passes for 415 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions with a 67.7 rating. In his lone start, the season finale against Houston, Leonard threw for 270 yards and two scores while adding a rushing touchdown.
The backup competition has been described as closely contested throughout training camp. Steichen has rotated the two quarterbacks with the second-team offense and emphasized that one must seize the opportunity.
Richardson requested a trade earlier this year after losing the starting job to Jones, but the Colts retained him and paid a roster bonus. General manager Chris Ballard has expressed confidence in the overall depth at the position and left the final decision on the backup to Steichen.
Thursday’s game offers both players a chance to demonstrate progress under game conditions. Richardson has worked on his footwork, mechanics and accuracy this offseason, areas that contributed to a career completion percentage of just 50.6 percent.
Leonard has shown poise in limited action and benefits from a strong supporting cast that includes running back Jonathan Taylor and a receiving group featuring players such as Josh Downs and Alec Pierce.
The Colts held a joint practice with the Patriots earlier this week, providing additional evaluation opportunities without the full intensity of a game. Steichen plans similar sessions later in the preseason.
Indianapolis returns home for its final two exhibition games, facing the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 22 and the Detroit Lions on Aug. 29, both at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Observers will watch closely to see how Richardson performs in the first half, particularly given speculation that strong showings could revive interest from other teams amid his lingering trade request.
Leonard, meanwhile, aims to build on his late-season opportunity last year and solidify his place on the roster.
The preseason schedule allows coaches to assess depth across positions while managing the health of key veterans like Jones. Kickoff Thursday will provide the first live look at how the Colts’ quarterback rotation unfolds under Steichen’s direction.
