OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Anthony Richardson Sr. will start the Colts preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday. Per Steichen, Richardson will play all of the first quarter and half of the second quarter with Daniel Jones coming in for the second half of the second quarter.
The two quarterbacks will then switch for the Colts' second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers next week; Jones will play the first quarter and a half and Richardson will play the second half of the second quarter.
"In a perfect world, that's how I want it to play out," Steichen said after the Colts' joint practice against the Ravens.
But to be clear, just because Richardson is starting the first preseason game does not mean he's won the starting quarterback role. The Colts' quarterback competition is still ongoing and there remains no specific timetable for a decision on a starting quarterback with the next few weeks of joint practices and preseason games providing crucial opportunities to evaluate both quarterbacks
The Colts have been methodical in making sure Richardson and Jones are evenly splitting reps with the first team offense in every drill, which is also why the two quarterbacks are splitting the first two preseason games the way they are.
That's also why both quarterbacks split reps on everything from Tuesday's joint practice against the Ravens, in which they both found some success in the long and short game against a tough Ravens defense. But what they'll face on Thursday — and how they'll perform in a real game setting — remains to be seen.
News and Notes from Tuesday's practice:
- Linebackers Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies and cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents did not participate in practice.
- Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell continued to build on a successful training camp with multiple receptions from both Richardson and Jones, including a deep contested throw from Richardson in which Mitchell twisted away from Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander to snag the ball.
- Safety Hunter Wohler had a standout day with two interceptions — with one off Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson — in a two-minute drill.
- The Colts' defensive line put consistent pressure on Jackson throughout practice, forcing throwaway passes and short runs. Defense tackle Grover Stewart recorded a "sack" (he couldn't bring the QB to the ground, but got to him) and defensive ends Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu also got through to Jackson.
- In a red zone drill, Richardson found a wide open Ashton Dulin in the end zone for a touchdown.
- Cornerback Justin Walley broke up a pass intended for Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman in an 11-on-11 period.
- Richardson connected with tight end Tyler Warren, who was being heavily covered by Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane, for a touchdown in a six-on-six period.
