It didn’t take long for the drama to unfold in Indianapolis’ preseason opener.
What was supposed to be a test run for starting quarterback Anthony Richardson turned into an early scare after he exited the game with an injury in the first quarter.
Richardson Gets Sacked and Sidelined
Richardson, who was named the starter for Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, barely had time to get comfortable on the field.
After completing two of three passes for 21 yards, he was blind-sided by Ravens edge rusher David Ojabo, who came in completely unblocked.
The hit resulted in a finger injury for Richardson, and just like that, he was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Daniel Jones Steps In and Gets His First Colts Snaps
With Richardson out, Daniel Jones — the former New York Giants quarterback who joined the Colts this offseason — was suddenly center stage.
It was Jones’ first live action with Indianapolis, and the moment came a bit earlier than planned.
He was supposed to come in during the second quarter, but Richardson’s injury changed the script.
Jones had a shaky start, completing five of his first 13 passes for 64 yards.
The Colts managed to get two field goals during that stretch, but the offense wasn’t exactly clicking.
Jones also got sacked by Ravens linebacker Adisa Isaac, who came in on a blitz the Colts simply didn’t see coming.
Rookie Tight End Tyler Warren Offers a Bright Spot
If there was one clear positive for the Colts’ offense, it came from rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
The first-round pick out of Penn State made a strong first impression, catching all three of his targets for 40 yards.
With high expectations already placed on him, Warren is on track to become a central piece of the Colts’ offensive puzzle.
Colts Defense Struggles Against a Short-Handed Ravens Offense
On the defensive side, it was a mixed bag for Indianapolis.
Despite the Ravens resting their biggest stars — Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and DeAndre Hopkins — the Colts still had trouble keeping the Baltimore offense in check.
There were some promising moments. The Colts picked off Cooper Rush and Devin Leary, showing flashes of ball-hawking potential.
But that didn’t stop Keaton Mitchell from slicing through the defense.
The Ravens running back made the most of his limited carries, racking up 68 yards and a touchdown on just nine touches.
LaJohntay Wester Steals the Show with Electric Punt Return
Arguably the highlight of the first half didn’t come from either offense — it came on special teams.
Baltimore’s LaJohntay Wester electrified the stadium with an 87-yard punt return touchdown, giving the Ravens a commanding 14-3 lead.
It was the kind of play that deflates a team and fires up the opposition.
Colts Cut the Lead Before the Half
Indianapolis did manage to chip away at the deficit thanks to Spencer Shrader, who knocked in his second field goal of the first half to make it 14-6.
But with Richardson out and the offense sputtering, the Colts had little momentum heading into halftime.
A Disrupted Quarterback Battle and Unfinished Business Ahead
This game was meant to be the beginning of a structured quarterback competition between Richardson and Jones.
Coach Shane Steichen had even mapped out a rotation plan, intending to switch their roles in next week’s matchup against Green Bay.
But with Richardson’s injury now a factor, the battle for QB1 could take an unexpected turn.