Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025
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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts return to football on Thursday night brought up another unfortunate chapter in the Anthony Richardson injury book.
Outside of Richardson having to exit early, there were some notable takeaways from the Colts and Ravens on Thursday.
1. Another Anthony Richardson Injury
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Another Colts season has, unfortunately, brought another Anthony Richardson injury. And this one is to the precious right throwing hand of Richardson, and comes at a time that a player desperately needing any and all reps can’t afford to be sidelined. More on the Richardson “dislocation” here, but let’s focus on the small sample size of work No. 5 did get. Richardson played two series, going 2-of-3 for 17 yards. His lone incompletion was a near interception, as Richardson was late over the middle trying to make a play on 3rd-and-7 with a collapsing pocket. Dissecting any of this seems like a bit of a lost cause though. Thursday night is once again about having to acknowledge yet another Richardson injury, one month from the regular season opener.
2. Nice Night For Daniel Jones
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The stat line for Daniel Jones will not give him enough credit for how he looked on Thursday night. Compared to what we’ve seen at Grand Park, I’d say this was a slightly better version of Jones, especially when you factor in a different opponent/actual game setting. Jones finished the night going 10-of-21 for 144 yards, leading 5 full drives (punt, field goal, punt, field goal, missed field goal). Jones was not helped out by 3-4 drops and some leaky tackle play at times. At his best, Jones hit guys in stride, allowing for some key yards after catch moments. He also showed some of that leg ability, in scrambling on a 2nd-and-7 to keep a play alive in which he found Ashton Dulin for 25 yards. While, what happened to Richardson on Thursday has to aid Jones’ cause in this QB battle, the free agent addition also did his own part in making a strong individual impression.
3. Who Stood Out?
Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025 Source:Getty
Let’s start with the first two draft picks in 2025. TE-Tyler Warren caught all 3 of his targets for 40 yards, showcasing a little bit of everything in route running and versatility around the Colts offense. Second-round pick DL-JT Tuimoloau was active, continuing to move around as an inside rusher on passing downs. WR-Ashton Dulin will once again make this team and is a really solid final wide receiver in a 6-person room. A couple of nice plays in the air by young CB-Alex Johnson, who picked off Cooper Rush to start the game. Depending on cornerback health, Johnson could push for a late 53-man roster spot. TE-Jelani Woods had a couple nice grabs in the second half as he tries to fight for a spot in a crowded tight end room. WR-Anthony Gould flashed a bit in the return game (but did have 2 drops). Spencer Shrader was 3-of-4 on his field goals, connecting from 33, 39 and 53 yards, with a 52-yarder missing off the left upright.
4. Who Struggled?
Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025 Source:Getty
Probably the biggest unit con from Thursday was the run defense the Colts had in the first half. Baltimore ripped off several big runs, mostly to the right side, with some poor second level fits from the Colts linebackers. Backup offensive tackles Blake Freeland and Jalen Travis had some issues holding up early on. The Colts played those two from the start of Thursday’s game, into the mid-way point of the third quarter. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason will have some ugly coverage film to analyze, with the Ravens having a 69-yard kick return and an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown. AD Mitchell had just 2 catches in 6 targets, a ratio that the Colts really want to see shrink.
5. Starting Approach
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The Colts approached Game 1 of a 3-game preseason slate in a similar to fashion to what we’ve seen in years past. On offense, about 4 opening day starters played (QB-Anthony Richardson, TE-Tyler Warren, C-Tanor Bortolini, RG-Matt Goncalves). On defense, about 3 opening day starters played (DE-Laiatu Latu, DE-Kwity Paye, LB-Cam McGrone). Baltimore played a similar number of starters. Under Shane Steichen, the Colts have largely held starters out or played just a few following any sort of joint practice, so perhaps the same plan will be used next Saturday against the Packers. On the list of expected Week 1 starters who didn’t play Thursday, you have RB-Jonathan Taylor, WR-Michael Pittman Jr., WR-Alec Pierce, WR-Josh Downs, LT-Bernhard Raimann, LG-Quenton Nelson, RT-Braden Smith, DT-DeForest Buckner, DT-Grover Stewart, LB-Zaire Franklin, CB-Charvarius Ward, CB-Kenny Moore II, S-Cam Bynum, S-Nick Cross.
6. QUICK HITTERS
Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025 Source:Getty
-Starting Offense: QB-Anthony Richardson, RB-Tyler Goodson WR-Ashton Dulin, WR-AD Mitchell, TE-Tyler Warren, LT-Blake Freeland, LG-Dalton Tucker, C-Tanor Botolini, RG-Matt Goncalves, RT-Jalen Travis
– Starting Defense: DE-Kwity Paye, DT-Neville Gallimore, DT-Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE-Laiatu Latu, LB-Joe Bachie, LB-Cam McGrone, CB-Alex Johnson, CB-Samuel Womack III, CB-Johnathan Edwards, S-Rodney Thomas II, S-Hunter Wohler
– Injury Report: The following Colts left Thursday’s game due to injury: QB-Anthony Richardson (right pinky), LB-Liam Anderson (hamstring), DL-JT Tuimoloau (knee)
-What’s Next: The Colts will have their final 4 practices at Grand Park (Saturday-Monday afternoons, plus a joint practice with the Packers on Thursday) before taking on Green Bay next Saturday afternoon inside of Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 2 of the preseason.