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Indianapolis Colts
Aug 8, 2025 10:46 AM EDT
In our “One Big Question” for the Indianapolis Colts this preseason, we asked whether 2025 was the season in which quarterback Anthony Richardson was going to put it all together. Nobody has ever questioned Richardson’s physical abilities, but coming into his third NFL campaign, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft had left people wanting when it came to the nuances of the position.
Unfortunately, this still proved true on Thursday night, when the Colts opened their 2025 preseason against the Baltimore Ravens. With 7:33 left in the first quarter, Richardson dropped back on second-and-10 from his own 35-yard line, and was demolished by Ravens edge-rusher David Ojabo on what looked like an unblocked pressure. Richardson suffered an injured pinky finger on his throwing hand, and that was the end of his night. Daniel Jones, who appears to have a decent shot at becoming the Colts’ starting quarterback this season, finished the game in Richardson’s stead, completing 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards.
Preseason is more about process than outcome, so the 24-16 score in Baltimore’s favor didn’t matter much. The process, however, was worrisome.
After the game, both Richardson and head coach Shane Steichen pointed to the problem on the play that got Richardson hurt.
“That’s a five-man protection right there, and that’s the hot side right there,” Steichen said. “That’s what happened.”
“That’s a tricky one because it’s five-man pro, and hot from the backside,” Richardson added. “I’ve just got to get my eyes to be able to react to that. It was just five-man pro playing hot. I need to be on my Ps and Qs when it comes to that.”
He certainly does need to be on his Ps and Qs on such occasions. It didn’t help Richardson’s case that just about everybody else watching the play knew exactly what was up.
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As Steichen said earlier this year, Richardson needs to stay on the field to get the reps he needs to be more conversant with the nuances, and through his first two NFL seasons, that was an issue. Multiple injuries have limited him to just 15 starts so far.
“Consistency is the biggest thing,” Steichen said of his quarterback. “We’ve had those conversations… myself and him. Just being consistent. Obviously, he’s been on the field in 15 games in the last two years. He played 11 last year, and did some really good things, but [we’re] just looking for consistency.”
The good news is, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, that the latest Richardson injury is more of a “day-to-day” thing than something that will cause him to miss more time. The bad news is that when you have a third-year starter who doesn’t get scat protection from the word “go,” there are larger issues afoot.
About the Author
Doug Farrar
NFL writer, analyst