Anthony Richardson delivered a pair of remarkable plays during the Colts’ recent preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers, showcasing his athleticism and arm strength. However, both key moments were erased due to penalties, dampening what could have been highlight reels. These instances highlight the potential of Anthony Richardson impressive preseason plays but also emphasize the challenges the young quarterback faces in maintaining discipline on the field.

One of Richardson’s standout efforts came on a third-and-two situation late in the first half, when he avoided pressure from Packers defensive end Arron Mosby by stepping up in the pocket and drifting left. From approximately the 11-yard line, Richardson launched a deep pass across the field to wide receiver Anthony Gould, who executed a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch near midfield. Unfortunately, the play was nullified because wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was lined up offside.

Head coach Shane Steichen noted that Richardson had to maneuver quickly under pressure, suggesting that the quarterback made the best choice given the circumstances.

“I think he had to move in the pocket to make that play,”

Steichen said.

“It was a scramble play, and that’s what he saw, so he hit Gould on that play.”

Had the play counted, it would have resulted in a significant first down at midfield with under a minute remaining in the first half, positioning the Colts to potentially score before halftime. Steichen praised both Richardson’s throw and Gould’s reception.

“It was a great throw, and it was a great catch by Anthony (Gould),”

he said.

“I mean, it was phenomenal over the shoulder. It was a big-time play right there but obviously got called back.”

Earlier in the second quarter, Richardson made another impressive run that was overshadowed by a penalty on the defense. On a third-and-nine at the Packers’ 24-yard line, the Packers brought heavy pressure, but Richardson avoided a sack by slipping past defensive lineman Warren Brinson and gaining nine yards on a scramble up the middle. This play demonstrated not only his speed but his strength, as he powered through a tackle after stiff-arming linebacker Isiaah Simmons. The Colts accepted a holding penalty on the Packers, so the play did not add to the official statistics.

Daniel Jones shows resilience in late drive performance

Following a shaky start, quarterback Daniel Jones responded with a more efficient and confident performance on his second and final drive of the game. His sequence began with a successful play-action pass to tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who carried the ball 19 yards to midfield. Jones then encountered difficulties, including a tipped pass and a fumbled snap exchange with center Tanor Bortolini, which placed the Colts in a third-and-13 situation.

Jones missed a key opportunity on third down, overthrowing tight end Tyler Warren on an out-and-up route. Reflecting on the mistake, Jones acknowledged the importance of execution.

“You miss someone like that, you definitely go back and say, ‘I got to make the throw,’ for sure,”

he said.

“I think that’s always the case.”

Despite the early missteps, head coach Shane Steichen expressed satisfaction with Jones’ ability to regroup. Jones completed six of eight passes for 82 yards on the drive, including a critical 25-yard completion to Warren that helped set up a short field goal by kicker Spencer Shrader.

“He bounced back, found completions, and then hit Warren for the big one down the boundary,”

Steichen remarked.

“I thought he had a clean operation.”

Steichen indicated that a decision on the Colts’ starting quarterback for the regular season is imminent, with pre-snap communication and operational consistency playing significant roles in the evaluation process.

“I think it’s everything, right — the operation, the communication in the huddle, the checks, getting guys on the same page,”

Steichen said.

“The consistency of all that, obviously, is going to play a big factor in this.”

Injury list grows but optimism remains for recovery before season opener

The Colts are currently dealing with a growing number of injuries heading into the final weeks before the season kicks off on September 7th against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. Several key players missed the preseason game due to previous ailments, including wide receiver Alec Pierce (groin), left tackle Bernhard Raimann (ankle), defensive ends Samson Ebukam (back) and Kwity Paye (groin), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (ankle), cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones (both hamstring), cornerback Kenny Moore II (knee), and safety Nick Cross (hip pointer).

During the Packers game, the Colts suffered additional injuries: safety Hunter Wohler (foot), right tackle Braden Smith (groin), running back Tyler Goodson (elbow), tackle Blake Freeland (leg), cornerback Jonathan Edwards (concussion), and linebacker Jacob Phillips (bicep) all exited or did not play. Freeland’s injury was confirmed as a broken leg, which, if he is placed on injured reserve before roster cuts, will end his season.

While linebacker Zaire Franklin did not participate, he is being carefully managed as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. The Colts have taken a hit to their cornerback depth after rookie Justin Walley tore his ACL in a joint practice, and Jonathan Edwards remains in concussion protocol despite flashes of potential during practice.

Despite the substantial injury report, Steichen remains hopeful there is sufficient time for players to heal before the regular season begins. “I think there’s time,” he said.

“I mean, we’ve got three weeks. We’ve got this week, we’ve got another week, and then we’ve got another the following week going into Miami week. I think we’ll get healed up.”

Chris Lammons steps up effectively at cornerback amid depleted depth

With the Colts‘ cornerback position significantly thinned by injuries, veteran Chris Lammons rejoined the team during training camp and has earned playing time through reliable performances. Lammons, who re-signed with the Colts after two previous seasons in Indianapolis, played 35 snaps against the Packers and earned Pro Football Focus’ highest defensive grade for the Colts (88.4) in that game.

His impact included nearly intercepting a pass, breaking up two others, recording a sack, and adding a tackle for loss. Considering he joined the team only in early August, Lammons’ immediate contributions stand out.

“The coaches put me in the best position they could put me in,”

Lammons said.

“The players around the facility and stuff — it’s family oriented. They made sure when I was coming in — make sure I know what I’m doing. The coaches put me in the best position I could play in and just playing fast.”

Lammons is competing for the backup slot cornerback role behind starter Kenny Moore II, a position previously contested by rookie Justin Walley and practice squad member Alex Johnson. With roster cuts looming on August 26th, Lammons’ familiarity with the organization and productive recent performance could help him secure his spot. He remained cautiously optimistic about his play but stressed the need for improvement. “I feel good,” Lammons said.

“Gotta get better. I’ve got to catch a couple of those balls, but I feel good about it.”

Spencer Shrader maintains strong kicking form amid competition

Special teams coordinator Brian Mason entrusted kicker Spencer Shrader with all kicking duties in the preseason game against the Packers, relying on a consistent performer who had previously connected on 87 percent of kicks charted in training camp and preseason. Shrader delivered by converting all four field goals attempted that evening, from distances of 25, 29, 32, and 56 yards, as well as successfully making his extra point.

Shrader’s performance solidifies his likely role as the Colts’ primary kicker for the 2025 season, a notable achievement considering his unconventional path in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL. After joining the Colts as an undrafted rookie last year, Shrader bounced between the Colts’ practice squad and active roster, briefly played for the New York Jets, and then the Kansas City Chiefs, where he made a game-winning field goal. Returning to the Colts in March, he secured the kicking job following the release of veteran Matt Gay and has been contending with undrafted rookie Maddux Trujillo for the spot throughout the preseason.

Reflecting on his mindset, Shrader described the importance of focus and consistency.

“I think it was a good day overall,”

Shrader said.

“Obviously, take it one kick at a time. Preseason is about working with the guys and getting as familiar with the operation as you can. I just try to stay level-headed throughout the entire thing, and just do my best to make every kick and then prepare for the next opportunity.”

Implications for Colts’ roster decisions and upcoming season prospects

As the Colts move closer to the 2025 regular season, the recent preseason game underscored both promising performances and emerging challenges. Anthony Richardson’s ability to make dynamic plays reinforces his value in the quarterback competition, yet the penalties that negated his highlights reveal areas requiring attention in discipline and situational awareness. Daniel Jones’ steady recovery on the field demonstrates the importance of resilience as the team evaluates who will lead the offense in September.

The mounting roster injuries add a significant hurdle, particularly in key positions such as cornerback and offensive line, but the coaching staff remains optimistic about player availability by season start. Veterans like Chris Lammons are stepping up to fill gaps, which could provide needed stability while younger players recover. On special teams, Spencer Shrader’s reliable performance offers assurance in field goal duties amid a competitive atmosphere.

Ultimately, the Colts face several critical decisions in the coming weeks, particularly for the quarterback role and defensive backfield depth. With roster cut-down day approaching on August 26th, how the team manages these transitions and recovers from injuries will shape its readiness for a challenging 2025 campaign at Lucas Oil Stadium and beyond.