Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson made an early exit in Thursday’s preseason debut after taking a sack from Baltimore’s David Ojabo.
The Ravens edge rusher was unblocked en route to Richardson, who injured a finger and was quickly ruled out for the game. Richardson did not appear to have seen Ojomo rushing from the strong side.
In Richardson’s place, former New York Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones took his first preseason snaps with the team since signing as a free agent in the offseason. Jones was widely expected to compete with Richardson for the starting job after both of their respective struggles in recent seasons.
At practice this week, Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen announced it would be Richardson starting at quarterback against the Ravens, with a plan to play about 1 1/2 quarters. Jones, meanwhile, was expected to play some in the second quarter before reversing roles with Richardson next week in Green Bay.
Instead, Jones saw extended time in the first quarter, completing eight of his first 17 passes for 115 yards as the Colts added a pair of field goals. But, like Richardson, Jones also took a sack when the Colts failed to pick up blitzing Ravens linebacker Adisa Isaac.
Richardson did complete two of three passes for 21 yards before being sacked by Ojabo and making his way to the sideline.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) is sacked by Ravens linebacker David Ojabo
Anthony Richardson is seen prior to playing against the Ravens on Thursday in Baltimore
There was some good news for the Colts as rookie tight end Tyler Warren recorded catches on his first three targets for 40 yards. The first-round pick out of Penn State is being counted on as a likely starter for the Colts’ offense.
The Colts defense, meanwhile, had an up-and-down first half against a Ravens team that was without quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, as well as receivers Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins.
Indianapolis did pick off quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Devin Leary, but were then overwhelmed by running back Keaton Mitchell, who gained 68 yards and a touchdown on his first nine carries.
The most exciting moment of the first half was delivered by Baltimore punt returner LaJohntay Wester, who easily scampered 87 yards for a touchdown to give the Ravens a 14-3 lead.
Daniel Jones looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half on Thursday night
The Colts later cut that advantage to 14-6 on the second of Spencer Shrader’s two firs-half field goals.
Jones, the former sixth-overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, was signed after a turbulent 2024 season that began with him starting for the New York Giants, only to be cut in November. He’d sign in Minnesota and finish the season as a backup for the Vikings.
He is now playing on a one-year, $14 million deal with Indianapolis.
Richardson, a fourth-overall pick by the Colts in 2023, has battled injuries and inconsistency over his first two NFL seasons. However, heading into this training camp, Richardson announced his shoulder was no longer a problem after the injury kept him out of mandatory minicamp in the spring.
