NFL Preseason Blitz: Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. rallies after a slow start

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.’s start to the preseason wasn’t ideal. But he looked much better later in the first half.

Richardson’s first throw of the preseason should have been a gimme. He made a play-action fake right, rolled left and had tight end Will Mallory all alone in the flat for a short completion.

Richardson didn’t set, threw from an awkward angle, missed the mark and his pass fell incomplete. Then at the end of the drive, another pass that was a bit off the mark was intercepted. Richardson’s receiver could have made the catch and helped him out, but it still wasn’t a great pass from a quarterback who has to show improvement in his accuracy.

Richardson, the fourth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is trying to get some positive footing in his NFL career but time is running out to make a great impression. That’s why it was important that he rebounded in the second quarter against the New England Patriots.

Richardson’s strength is his mobility and he showed that on a 22-yard run. The Colts got to the 1-yard line on that drive but running back Seth McGowan lost a fumble to end the drive. On Indianapolis’ next drive Richardson showed off some arm strength on a nice pass to D.J. Montgomery over the middle, and then he hit Mallory on two straight passes for 18 and 19 yards. He looked like he had a touchdown pass at the end of the drive on a dump-off pass but Ulysses Bentley IV was ruled just short of the goal line after a replay review. Richardson took it in on a quarterback sneak from 1 yard out of the next play.

By the end of the first half Richardson was 11 of 14 for 145 yards along with 53 rushing yards on six attempts. That’s promising. Riley Leonard started the second half.

Richardson getting the start was notable because he has not separated himself from Leonard in the competition to be the Colts’ No. 2 quarterback. Richardson barely played last season after being benched and suffering a broken orbital bone due to a mishap with a resistance band. He threw two passes all season. That's not ideal for a player who needs experience to improve.

That's why preseason is essential. There are still questions over whether Richardson has made any progress, and also lingering questions about his vision after that eye injury last year. Richardson isn't going to play ahead of Daniel Jones (who, like other Colts starters, didn’t play against the Patriots) and might not even win the No. 2 job over Riley Leonard, so opportunities to put something good on tape for the Colts or any other team are limited. Richardson made a trade request and while that hasn’t happened, what he does in the preseason could affect his market for better or worse.

Richardson wasn’t perfect against the Patriots but he made some nice plays. It will be important to keep that positive momentum going through the Colts’ preseason, regardless of what the future holds for him.

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Spotlight team: Las Vegas Raiders

The highlight of the Raiders’ preseason opener was, of course, the NFL preseason debut of top overall pick Fernando Mendoza. But he wasn’t the only attraction at Allegiant Stadium. After a roster overhaul and the hiring of Klint Kubiak as Las Vegas’ new coach, the Raiders’ starting offense looked sharp.

Most of the Raiders’ offensive starters played and they looked good in Kubiak’s scheme. Ashton Jeanty had a nice 10-yard run behind new center Tyler Linderbaum, who the Raiders gave a record-setting deal to in free agency. Kirk Cousins had some nice passes, including a third-down throw to Jack Bech to keep the drive alive, a quick toss to Tre Tucker that Tucker turned into a 16-yard gain and a touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer. Cousins was 5 of 6 for 50 yards on Las Vegas’ opening drive, and then his night was done. Mendoza came in after Cousins and led a touchdown drive of his own in the second quarter.

Mendoza will be a topic all preseason and into the regular season, but maybe there will be more to be excited about in Las Vegas this season.

Standout player: Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love

Love’s first preseason game wasn’t notable until a few nice runs in the second quarter, after the rest of the starters’ night was done.

Love started against the Raiders, as did Arizona’s other starters on offense. His first run was decent, for 3 yards off the left side. His second run he lost his footing in the hole and was hit hard by Raiders linebacker Quay Walker. Then he got a pass but couldn’t break the tackle of Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson and it gained just 2 yards.

The Cardinals’ starters departed after one drive but Love did not. He had a nice highlight, showing his burst to the outside and then a spin move for another few yards to pick up 9 yards on a third-and-1. That ability is why Love was the third pick of the NFL Draft.

That seemed to get Love going. he showed great speed on a couple of runs late in the second quarter. He had back-to-back runs of 15 yards each sandwiched around the two-minute warning. He looked good, even though it was odd to see him getting so many carries, especially behind the second-team line.

Love finished the first half with 58 rushing yards on 11 carries, and three catches for 15 yards. That should be enough to get Cardinals fans excited.

Other games

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions: The Bengals used to not play starters in the preseason, but slow starts in the regular season have caused them to give the first team some time in August. Joe Burrow did complete a pass to Ja’Marr Chase over the middle, but also took a sack that stalled Cincinnati’s first drive and caused them to punt. The second drive ended when Burrow, under pressure, misfired on a third-down throw to Mike Gesicki. That was the end of the night for Cincinnati’s starters (the Lions sat starters on Thursday). The Bengals’ offensive line has been an issue and Thursday night’s short outing won’t quell those concerns.

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Love got some snaps for the Packers, though his former teammate Aaron Rodgers sat out for the Steelers (the two did exchange pleasantries before the game). Love played one series, which resulted in a 37-yard field goal from rookie kicker Trey Smack. Smack, who has had some inconsistent moments in training camp, also hit a 58-yard field goal on that drive but it was taken off the board because the Packers accepted a Steelers penalty.

Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans: Neither team played its starters. Trey Lance got the start at quarterback for the Chargers with Justin Herbert sitting out.

Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers, dealing with many injuries, didn’t use starters and even backup quarterback Mac Jones was held out. Cam Ward did play for the Titans and completed his first pass for 18 yards to Calvin Ridley.

Final thoughts

• MarShawn Lloyd got the start at running back for the Packers. His role is notable because Josh Jacobs could still face discipline from the NFL for an arrest on multiple charges stemming from a domestic dispute. Lloyd had 13 yards on four carries on Green Bay’s first drive and also a catch that lost 4 yards. Lloyd hasn't been able to stay healthy in his career, but the Packers are thin behind Jacobs and the 2024 third-round pick has a chance to have an impact.

• There is also curiosity about how the Packers will line up when they use two-receiver sets. During the first drive Thursday, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden were on the field in 12 personnel (one receiver, two tight ends, two receivers). However, Jayden Reed caught the first pass of the game from Jordan Love. The Packers mostly played three or more receivers on the first drive with the starters.

• Drake Maye didn’t play for the Patriots on Thursday night. Tommy DeVito is the team’s backup going into the season, barring a move. DeVito barely missed a long touchdown to Mack Hollins on New England’s first drive, but got the team into position for a field goal.

• Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick in 2025 who struggled early last season and got buried on the depth chart, is further down the depth chart heading into his second season. Travis Homer got the start for the Steelers, with their top two backs sitting out, and 2023 seventh-round pick Lew Nichols came in after him. Nichols looked like he had a 6-yard touchdown run but it came back due to a penalty. Johnson didn’t get his first carry until deep into the third quarter and has to be in danger of not making the roster.

• Marvin Harrison Jr. made a play to start the preseason. After he drew a defensive pass interference call on the Cardinals’ first drive, Jacoby Brissett made a great throw to find Harrison as he crossed the back of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.

Michael Wilson also had 23 yards on two catches during the drive. The Cardinals have the skill-position talent to put up points, though the defense might rank among the worst in the NFL. Harrison’s development after two relatively quiet seasons to start his career is one of the biggest storylines of Arizona’s season.