Colts Protect Richardson: Will Not Play in Final Preseason Game

Anthony Richardson will not play in the last preseason game

INDIANAPOLIS – Young quarterback Anthony Richardson will not be the starter for the Indianapolis Colts at the start of the season, nor will he see action in the last preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Coach Shane Steichen announced on Thursday that Richardson’s position as the team’s primary backup makes him too valuable to risk injury in a game where the Colts do not plan to use their key players.

“I think he’s a play away from getting into a real game and I don’t want to take that risk,” Steichen commented. “We have a large part of our third and fourth team playing in this game. It’s their last chance to prove they can make the 53-man roster, and that’s how the situation is.”

Shane Steichen, Colts Coach

On Tuesday, the Colts designated Daniel Jones, a veteran, as their starting quarterback, a decision that Steichen assured would remain throughout the season. Earlier this week, Steichen emphasized his confidence that Richardson will benefit from taking on a secondary role for the first time in his professional career, having started in most games in his first two seasons.

“He’s 23 years old,” Steichen said. “He’s still learning, growing, and for the first time in his career, this is an opportunity for him to sit at the beginning of the season and learn in a different way and approach it the right way.”

Shane Steichen, Colts Coach

As for how Richardson has reacted since this important decision, Steichen mentioned that the player has remained calm and that they have both had productive conversations. “I’ve had excellent conversations with him in the last two days, obviously, when I gave him the news, he handled it very well, professionally,” Steichen added. “I spoke with him yesterday in the office and he was great. He just said, ‘Hey, I’m going to keep working,’ and I replied, ‘You’re one play away from getting in.’ He said, ‘You’re right, I’m one play away from getting in.’ So he’s been great.” Steichen also added: “We’re going to keep developing him in the meeting rooms, on the practice field, in the fundamentals, in the details. [I told him] to follow his process as if he were going to be the starter.”