Riley Leonard's first emotion when he found out he'd be the Colts' backup quarterback on Sunday was not excitement, despite the rookie being one play away from making his NFL debut for the first time.
It was concern for his friend, Anthony Richardson Sr., who sustained a fractured orbital (eye) bone – which required him going to the hospital – while doing pregame band work a few hours before the Colts' Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Leonard was on the field warming up when he found out something happened to Richardson – and that'd he'd be Daniel Jones' backup on Sunday.
"My first thought was, is Anthony okay," Leonard said. "At the end of the day, that's one of my closest friends on the team. From the day I walked into the building, he answered every question I had and has always been there for me. So who cares my name's one slot farther on the depth chart — that's my friend."
The Colts picked Leonard, who led Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff championship game last season, in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft; they added Leonard with the idea he'd be a valuable addition to their quarterback room as Jones and Richardson competed to be the team's QB1.
Leonard has run the Colts' scout team in practice and has relished those chances to be on the field, knowing odds are he wouldn't play on Sundays as the team's emergency third quarterback. But Richardson's injury was a reminder – albeit an unfortunate one – about the importance of staying focused and prepared no matter your place on the depth chart.
"I guess it really doesn't hit you until it does," Leonard said. "There's a human nature side to everything, right? You're thinking, you're the third string quarterback, not even active going into the game, probability starts to get into your mind a little bit — but you just can't live like that. Obviously I love to play, that's why I work every day, you want to get on the field.
"And that's certainly not the way that I would've drawn it up in any circumstance, but here we are one play away, and just going to prepare like I've been doing."
Head coach Shane Steichen did not have an update on Richardson's long-term outlook. But if the Colts need Leonard to be Jones' backup, he'll be ready – while sparing a thought for Richardson.
"I don't know if there's something written out on how you should handle that situation," Leonard said. "In the back of your mind all game, it's like, dang, is he okay?"
