How did Anthony Richardson perform in the first preseason game?
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson played the first two drives for the Colts in their first preseason game of the season.
Both drives resulted in punts and only mustered one first down.
The first drive of the game was a three and out. Richardson threw two incompletions, with those being on second and third down.
On second down, they failed to pick up a blitz and Richardson had to quickly throw the ball away. On third down, Richardson had plenty of time in the pocket, but threw an incompletion that was broken up.
The first play of Richardson’s second drive was a 19 yard pass to Mo Allie-Cox. Richardson made a nice throw to Allie-Cox, and after a missed initial tackle he was able to pick up some yards after the catch.
After that play though, the drive stalled. Richardson scrambled for one yard on first down. An inside run from Jonathan Taylor picked up two yards on second down, which set up third and long. Richardson completed a pass to tight end Kylen Granson on third down, but the pass was slightly behind him and he was tackled a yard short of a first down.
On that scramble though, Richardson avoided getting hit by running out of bounds. Steichen said that it was great to see him getting out of bounds. Richardson said he didn’t think about cutting it back into the field of play to try and get more yards.
“Just protect yourself,” Richardson said. “Even if this was last year, that’s the same thing. Take care of yourself. Get what you can get, and if you can make a play, make a play. If not, don’t try to force it.”
Richardson was pulled after those two drives. He finished the day going 2/4 for 25 yards and one yard rushing.
This was Richardson’s first game back since his season ending shoulder injury in Week 5 last year. He thought today was a step in the right direction.
“Just being able to put my uniform back on and being able to go back out there in front of the fans and all the supporters, it’s a blessing because I know I definitely missed it last year a lot,” Richardson said.
“Any time you have the game taken away from you for a significant period of time, it’s just that much better when you finally get to go back out there,” Jonathan Taylor said on Richardson playing his first game since the injury.
The Colts lost their first preseason game to the Broncos, 34-30.
The Colts have two joint practices with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Grand Park before their preseason game against them on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.