Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson made his highly-anticipated return to the field on Sunday, marking his first game since a shoulder injury ended his rookie season. The 22-year-old took part in the Colts’ preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, participating in two series and playing seven snaps.
Key Plays from Richardson
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson took the field for the first two drives in their preseason opener, hoping to influence Colts Odds to Win against the Broncos. Unfortunately, both drives ended in punts, with only a single first down achieved. The initial drive was a quick three-and-out. Richardson’s two incompletions on second and third down halted progress.
During the second down, a missed blitz pickup forced Richardson to throw the ball away quickly. On third down, despite ample time in the pocket, Richardson’s pass was broken up.
Richardson’s second drive began with a promising 19-yard pass to Mo Allie-Cox. After evading an initial tackle, Allie-Cox gained additional yards.
Yet, the drive soon fizzled out. Richardson scrambled for a yard on first down, followed by a two-yard inside run from Jonathan Taylor, setting up a third and long. Richardson completed a pass to tight end Kylen Granson, but it was slightly behind him, resulting in a tackle just short of the first down.
Richardson wisely avoided a hit by running out of bounds on his scramble. Steichen remarked, “It was great to see him getting out of bounds.” Richardson himself noted, “Just protect yourself. Even if this was last year, that’s the same thing. Take care of yourself. Get what you can get, and if you can make a play, make a play. If not, don’t try to force it.”
After these two drives, Richardson was pulled from the game, ending with stats of 2/4 for 25 yards and one yard rushing. His last appearance in a game before this one was 308 days ago, sidelined by his shoulder injury. Head coach Shane Steichen expressed his satisfaction with Richardson’s return, noting the quarterback’s smart decision-making. For instance, instead of risking an injury, Richardson chose to run out of bounds rather than absorb a hit, showcasing his maturity and awareness on the field.
A Step Forward After Shoulder Injury
In his first game back since a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5 last year, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson took a significant step forward. Reflecting on his return, Richardson expressed a deep sense of gratitude and progress. “Just being able to put my uniform back on and being able to go back out there in front of the fans and all the supporters, it’s a blessing because I know I definitely missed it last year a lot,” Richardson shared.
Richardson’s teammate, Jonathan Taylor, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the emotional weight of Richardson’s return to the field. “Any time you have the game taken away from you for a significant period of time, it’s just that much better when you finally get to go back out there,” Taylor said, underscoring the importance of Richardson’s comeback.
Despite Richardson’s return, the Colts were unable to secure a victory, falling to the Denver Broncos 34-30 in their first preseason game. The loss, however, did not overshadow the positive strides made by Richardson in his performance.
Despite Losing, Colts Defense Still Delivers
Despite missing key players like JuJu Brents and DeForest Buckner, the Indianapolis Colts’ starting defense managed to make significant plays against the Denver Broncos. Early struggles in the secondary were quickly overshadowed by standout moments, including Kenny Moore II’s interception of a juggle by Samaje Perine from a Jarrett Stidham pass. This play marked the first of four turnovers forced by the Indianapolis defense during the game.
One of the most notable turnovers came from rookie Micah Abraham. Drafted as a playmaker despite being traditionally undersized for a cornerback, Abraham made an impactful play by stripping the football from Audric Estime and returning his own forced fumble for a 45-yard scoop-and-score. This impressive feat caught the eye of head coach Shane Steichen, who admitted he didn’t see the strip until watching the replay. “That’s always great to see, getting these late-round draft picks [to] go make plays…he made a big-time play,” Steichen said.
First-round pick Laiatu Latu also made a notable debut for the Colts. Although his box score only showed one tackle, Latu was a constant problem for Denver’s offensive line, frequently disrupting the pocket even without recording a sack. The rookie relished his first experience of NFL action, leaving a positive impression on both coaches and fans.
Overall, the Colts’ defense showcased resilience and playmaking ability, providing hope for the upcoming season. As the team continues to refine their strategies and integrate new talent, performances like these will be crucial for their success.
Takeaway
Looking ahead, the Colts are set for two joint practices with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Grand Park. These sessions will be crucial as they gear up for their next preseason game against the Cardinals on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. These practices are expected to further aid Richardson in regaining his rhythm and fine-tuning his skills after a long hiatus from the game.
