Anthony Richardson Sr. got the first start for the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason. It didn't last long.
On Richardson's first dropback of the Colts' second series, he never saw Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo blitzing him from his right. Ojabo blasted Richardson for the sack. Richardson got up slow, and went to the sideline with what the team later called a finger injury.
Jones stayed in for the start of the third series, with Richardson on the sideline wearing an earpiece to listen to plays. He was supposed to play into the second series but the sack and injury changed those plans.
For Richardson and the Colts, who have so much riding on whether he can prove himself worthy of being the team's Week 1 starting quarterback, it was another bad break. And a reminder that Richardson had trouble staying healthy in his first two NFL seasons. There were even questions over whether he'd be healthy enough for hte preseason due to a shoulder injury. He was healthy for the start of camp and got the first start of the preseason as the Colts kicked off their quarterback competition. Jones was scheduled to get the second start of the preseason, coach Shane Steichen said. No decisions had been made on which quarterback will start the season opener.
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All offseason the Colts planned on having a true competition. That's partially to push Richardson after a highly disappointing second season, but also to get a true evaluation of who gives the team a better chance to win. Steichen entered this season on the hot seat after not making the playoffs his first two seasons. He has to show progress this season, and needs to know if Richardson is the path to that.
The early injury to Richardson might complicate that.
Richardson's first series wasn't anything special. He completed his first pass under pressure to Adonai Mitchell, though Mitchell had to come back for it and make a diving grab. A completion on a quick screen to rookie tight end Tyler Warren came back due to a penalty for an offensive lineman being an ineligible man downfield, then Richardson hit an easy short throw to Warren over the middle. Needing a completion to keep the drive going, Richardson threw a little late and behind his receiver downfield and it was broken up. Indianapolis settled for a field goal.
Ricahrdson's second series started with a handoff on first down, then the huge hit from Ojabo on second down. Ojabo was completely unblocked, but Richardson showed no awareness that he was coming from his right. The hit was a massive one.
Richardson has had some bad injury luck through two seasons, whether it was his right shoulder or concussions as a rookie or oblique and back injuries last season. He was hoping for better fortune this season, but before the first quarter of the preseason was over he had another setback.
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