The Colts have made the early shape of their preseason quarterback plan clear, with Daniel Jones not expected to play in Thursday night's opener against the New England Patriots and Riley Leonard set to share the workload with Anthony Richardson Sr.
That gives the No. 2 quarterback battle an immediate spotlight. The Colts released an unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1, and the setup suggests Shane Steichen wants a closer look at how Leonard and Richardson handle live reps before the competition for the backup role settles into its next phase.
Steichen said on Sunday that he would finalise the plan for starters' playing time, and the key detail already known is that Jones will not take part at Gillette Stadium.
Why Riley Leonard matters in preseason Week 1
For Leonard, this is a chance to show he can handle the pace and organisation required behind a starting quarterback. Preseason games are rarely about headline plays alone. They are about command, decision-making and whether a player can keep the offence moving when the game speed increases.
With Daniel Jones unavailable, the focus shifts to how Leonard and Richardson split their work on Thursday night. That rotation matters because the Colts are still evaluating who can be trusted in the No. 2 role behind the starter, and every snap now carries extra value.
What comes next for the Colts
The joint practice with the New England Patriots on Tuesday will give the coaching staff another useful checkpoint before the game itself. But Thursday night at Gillette Stadium is where the evaluation becomes more public and more direct.
For the Colts, the larger question is simple: who looks ready to take the next step in the quarterback room? Riley Leonard is part of that answer, and this opener should give the clearest first impression yet.
