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The Colts came into training camp in a unique situation. Indianapolis is one of the few teams around the league that entered the preseason without a clear choice as its starting quarterback.
The Colts are largely deciding between Anthony Richardson, who was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by Indy, and Daniel Jones, who signed a one-year deal with the Colts as a free agent. Both quarterbacks can beat defenses with their legs, with Richardson being more known as a pure dual-threat and Jones creating when needed.
Neither quarterback has taken a strong lead in the position battle during camp. Head coach Shane Steichen decided that Richardson would start the first preseason game with Jones coming on in relief. He also said that the game plan would change for the second preseason game, with Jones getting a predetermined start and Richardson coming off the bench.
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Here ' a look at how Richardson and Jones fared in their first preseason game.
Colts QB depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Anthony Richardson |
| 1 | Daniel Jones |
| 3 | Riley Leonard |
| 4 | Jason Bean |
When the Colts released their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, both quarterbacks were listed as the starter with the big word "OR" sandwiched between them. All signs pointed toward the position battle being even heading into the first game of the preseason.
Richardson didn't get a chance to get much work in. He was knocked out of the game on his second drive after taking a violent sack and finished with only three pass attempts. It was reported during that game that Richardson dislocated the pinky on his throwing hand, which could keep him out until the start of the regular season depending on the severity of the injury.
MORE: Latest updates on Anthony Richardson's hand injury
This gave Jones ample opportunity to earn the job with his play. With the way that he finished out the first half, though, the only way that this battle was decided in the first preseason game was if Richardson's injury forces him to miss the start of the regular season.
Jones completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes against the Ravens' backups. Sure, he was missing some of his starters, but it was a rough showing that was given more attention with Richardson's injury.
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Anthony Richardson stats
- 2 completions
- 3 attempts
- 21 yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 0 carries
Richardson's first drive was solid. He stayed in the pocket and completed two of his three passes for 21 yards. He found wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for a 15-yard gain and rookie tight end Tyler Warren for six yards. Richardson had another completion on a screen pass to Warren, which was wiped out due to an ineligible man downfield penalty. The drive stalled and ended in a 53-yard field goal.
Richardson also got a second drive in the first quarter. He got obliterated by a sack from an unblocked defender. Richardson left the field, favoring his right arm. He was eventually ruled out for the game with a finger injury.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson (finger) won't return to the game tonight, team says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 7, 2025More NFL: Breaking down the heaviest players of all time in the NFL
Anthony Richardson highlights
It was called back because of the penalty, but Richardson found Warren on a screen pass for a solid gain.
Tyler Warren could help raise Anthony Richardon's completion percentage by 10 points pic.twitter.com/dtZI6BsWSD
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) August 7, 2025More of a lowlight, but here is the clip of the sack Richardson took that forced him to leave the field.
Anthony Richardson exited the game with an apparent injury after this sack.pic.twitter.com/WkrIFusgRb
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 7, 2025We don't know a full diagnosis yet, but it looks from the video below that Richardson may have broken or dislocated his pinky.
Replay of #Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s finger injury on his right/throwing hand. Looks like it’s his pinky, which obviously isn’t supposed to point that way. pic.twitter.com/Y3PCniZ92X
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 7, 2025More NFL: Looking back at the oldest players ever selected in the NFL Draft
Daniel Jones stats
- 10 completions
- 21 attempts
- 144 yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 0 carries
Jones struggled to sustain drives while playing most of the first half. He finished 4-9 passing for 64 yards in the first quarter, but he couldn't lead the offense to a touchdown.
He was still under center when the Colts got the ball for the first time in the second quarter. He completed a short pass to Drew Ogletree. After the Colts ran the ball for a first down, Jones had three straight incompletions to force a punt.
On the next drive, Jones was facing pressure and scrambled out of the pocket. He found Ashton Dulin downfield for a big gain. The QB then hit Will Mallory on the sideline for 15 yards to get into the red zone. He had a touchdown to Dulin called back for offensive pass interference, then sailed a third-down throw out of the end zone for another drive that came up short.
With the first half winding down, Jones found Dulin on a crosser to get over the 50-yard line with a minute to go. After an incomplete pass, he hit Anthony Gould to get into field goal range.
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Daniel Jones highlights
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2025Wild completion by Daniel Jones.pic.twitter.com/1Ow52tlj9t
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) August 8, 2025Daniel Jones badly underthrows AD Mitchell who had a step pic.twitter.com/iDP4vHL6Zd
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 8, 2025
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