NFL insider offers update on where Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones stand

The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones isn’t close to being over it seems. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported neither signal caller really separated themselves to this point.

Both are former first round picks while Jones is on the third team of his career. Richardson has been a much maligned former No. 4 overall pick.

The battle could go right up to the buzzer, so to speak. With the regular season around the corner, the Colts don’t seem to have a straight answer regarding Richardson or Jones.

“Daniel Jones today, this is huge,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “I can’t overstate it, because they hoped this battle would be close to wrapped up by now, but I can tell you the sense that it is unsettled. They had a big joint practice with the Green Bay Packers. I was told that both quarterbacks were a little shaky, each through an interception with a lot of red zone work, they didn’t necessarily flash in the way they wanted. And you know, Dale Jones is probably a little more consistent, but not really flashy. Anthony Richardson had a good two minute drive and missed a lot of throws. 

“So they both need a good day. Somebody needs to separate at this point. Shane Steichen had told me throughout this process, it’s pretty much been neck and neck, and that is the case right now. So they want to go into next week with a good feeling of who their starter is going to be. The pressure will be on Anthony Richardson, who’s the incumbent. If it’s close, it could go to him on the edge, just because he’s been there and he’s the No. 4 overall pick.”

Richardson injured his finger in the preseason opener, which complicated matters a little bit just a week ago. But with Jones not taking the reins, the job is anyone’s guess.

Injuries have been the story of Richardson’s career to this point. Richardson, selected No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida, has played in just 15-of-34 possible games over the last two seasons. He missed 13 games in his rookie campaign with the AC joint sprain. Richardson missed Weeks 5 and 6 this past season with an oblique injury, only to return in Week 7.

Steichen benched him in favor of Joe Flacco due to poor performance after Week 8, but went back to Richardson in Week 11. Richardson then missed the final two games with a disk issue in his lower back. When he’s been on the field, Richardson has been up-and-down. Over the last two seasons, he has thrown for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 50.6% passing. Richardson has also rushed for 635 yards and 10 scores.