See the fans, game action as Colts take on Packers in NFL preseason matchup
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Indianapolis colts fans mix and mingle outside on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Fans are treated to a drum line after Crush Bon Jovi Experience, in Touchdown Town on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The Indianapolis colts cheerleaders sign autographs for fans on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Indianapolis colts fans mix and mingle outside on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Indianapolis colts fans mix and mingle outside on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Indianapolis colts fans mix and mingle outside on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
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Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Why Colts could go with Daniel Jones as starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson
From 10,000 feet, Colts coach Shane Steichen's decision seems simple. The Colts are heavily invested in quarterback Anthony Richardson. The franchise used the No. 4 pick, its highest draft selection in more than a decade, to take Richardson, potentially tying Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard's belief in Richardson to their futures in Indianapolis. From that perspective, the Colts should stick with Richardson as long as possible, hoping upon hope that he finally realizes his otherworldly potential. But Steichen is not making his decision from 10,000 feet. The Colts head coach is closer to this quarterback decision than anybody. He needs to win games. Indianapolis ownership, from late owner Jim Irsay to primary owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, has made it clear they can feel the frustration of a fan base that has now gone four seasons without a playoff berth and a decade without an AFC South title. If Steichen believes Daniel Jones is the team's best quarterback, he should start the veteran. 'You've got two first-round draft picks,' Steichen said on Saturday night after a 23-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. 'When they both came in, I made it very clear that this is going to be a battle, and they're going to compete for the job. And like I said, I'm going to make the decision I feel is best for the football team.' Steichen has also made it clear what it will take to win the job. 'I think it's the most consistent guy,' Steichen said. 'I really do, because at the end of the day, you've got to be able to move the football consistently up and down the field, and making good decisions. You know what I mean? I mean, at the end of the day, you can have splash plays, but if you're doing that sparingly and up and down. … I think it's got to be on a consistent basis, to get to where we want to go.' Richardson's inconsistency drove Indianapolis into this quarterback battle in the first place. The Colts drafted Richardson for his otherworldly physical abilities, believing they could teach an inexperienced, unproven player everything that goes into playing the most important position in sports. There is much more to playing quarterback in the NFL than throwing the football. 'At Florida, just not playing as much, and his freshman year was COVID, so meetings were remote,' assistant general manager Ed Dodds said. 'All of that's been kind of new: Learning how to do that, learning how to operate the meeting room, how to operate setting yourself up outside of the building, what the coaches expect of you, even when you're in the building but not in the meeting room, that extra stuff the quarterbacks are always doing.' Richardson has improved in those areas, but it has taken time. Richardson was benched for two games last season because of his preparation and attention to detail, and there have been other signs that he's still learning. For example, the offensive line came to Richardson at Grand Park a couple of weeks ago and asked him to work on his cadence, an overlooked but critical piece of a quarterback's repertoire. A great cadence can trick defenses into penalties; an inconsistent cadence can lead to false starts and other issues for the offense. Richardson was knocked out of the preseason opener with a dislocated pinkie because he failed to recognize a blitzer coming off his right side, a 'hot' read the young passer should have recognized. All of those pieces of the puzzle can be difficult for fans, media and even members of the front office to identify in the moment. They will be a critical piece of Steichen's decision. 'It's everything, right?' Steichen said on Saturday night. "The operation, the communication in the huddle, the checks, getting guys on the same page. The consistency of all that, obviously, is going to play a big factor in this.' Jones, a six-year veteran, arrived with an advantage in the hidden areas and a disadvantage in a key quality that is easy to see, the ability to produce explosive plays. Richardson's best moments in the NFL have often come off-script and explosive down the field; Jones has struggled to produce big plays. But he has been more accurate than Richardson in training camp, another key issue that led to the Colts searching for competition this offseason. Richardson completed 47.7% of his throws in 2024, the lowest mark for any NFL quarterback with more than 200 attempts since Tim Tebow in 2011. The lack of accuracy neutralized his big-play ability; Richardson averaged just 6.9 yards per attempt despite averaging 12 intended air yards per throw, the highest number ever posted by an NFL quarterback in the seven years the statistic has been tracked by Next Gen Stats. Richardson completed a few highlight-reel throws down the field — the 60-yard bomb he tossed against Houston in the season opener is hard to forget — but posted a minus-20.5 DVOA on deep throws, the third-worst mark in the league, according to For The Numbers. Jones has completed 64.1% of his career throws, and he's been above the 67% mark twice in the last three seasons. The disparity played out in training camp. By unofficial count, Richardson completed 59.1% of his throws through three weeks of practices; Jones 68.8%. Richardson also did not make as many plays down the field, further complicating Steichen's decision. 'I've always been able to make the big play,' Richardson said. 'The routine plays, that's really what I struggled with throughout my career. … When the big plays do come, I'll be able to make them.' Explosive plays have always been the north star for Steichen's offense, a difference-maker in a league full of defenses that have been designed to take away the explosive play as much as possible, but the Colts offense finished 17th in scoring last season despite being in the top five in runs of 20 yards or more and the top 10 in passing plays of 40 yards or more. At times, Steichen drew criticism for trying too hard to produce the explosive play. The Colts ranked 11th in the NFL in scoring in 2023 despite having a risk-averse Gardner Minshew under center for most of the season. From the sounds of everything Steichen has said this offseason, the experience has reinforced the value of moving the chains and grinding out drives, taking a little profit when the defense takes away the big score. Richardson's potential, familiarity and everything the Colts have sunk into the No. 4 pick might seem like the obvious choice, given what he was drafted to become in Indianapolis. But Steichen might believe Jones is better-suited to give the Colts offense the consistency he craves.
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis Colts quarterback 2025: Daniel Jones
Indianapolis Colts guard Tanor Bortolini (60) hikes the ball to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar, Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK Via Imagn Images Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Robert Goddin, Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) eyes his receivers on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Adin Parks/IndyStar Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Robert Goddin, Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Christine Tannous/IndyStar Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs the offense during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Rafael Suanes, Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) passes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Greg Fiume, Getty Images Rafael Suanes, Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Patrick Smith, Getty Images BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 07: Quarterback Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by) Patrick Smith, Getty Images Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs the offense during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Greg Fiume, Getty Images Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) passes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Greg Fiume, Getty Images BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 07: Quarterback Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by) Patrick Smith, Getty Images
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Packers Receive Brutal Injury Update Regarding Offensive Weapon
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Green Bay Packers have struggled with injuries throughout preseason and training camp action. Matt LaFleur and company are facing some serious potential issues on that front. While a lot of their injury concerns are expected to be resolved by the time they face the Detroit Lions in Week 1, it's possible that they could be missing some key players. Most recently, the Packers have suffered a brutal injury update regarding one of their offensive weapons. Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo byJosh Jacobs is the clear-cut starting running back and workhorse on the ground for the offense. However, Green Bay was hoping to see second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd step up into a key role as the primary backup behind Jacobs. Read more: Former Packers QB Throws Brutal Shade at Coaching Staff Last season, Lloyd missed almost all of the season due to health issues. Unfortunately, he might start the 2025 season the same way. According to an update from LaFleur, Lloyd is going to miss some time due to the hamstring injury that he suffered in Saturday's preseason matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. "He's gonna miss some time," LaFleur said bluntly. Lloyd was selected by the Packers with the No. 88 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was expected to be an instant impact player after finishing his college career out strong with the USC Trojans. During his rookie season, Lloyd played in just one game and carried the football six times for 15 yards, while also catching one pass for three yards. In his final college season at USC, the 24-year-old running back racked up 820 yards and nine touchdowns on 116 carries, averaging an impressive 7.1 yards per carry. He also caught 13 passes for 232 yards. Read more: Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love Shares Significant Injury Update To start his NFL career, Lloyd has run into a lot of bad luck. Whether or not Green Bay will stick with him and keep hoping for him to stay healthy remains to be seen. Obviously, this is not the kind of news that the Packers were hoping to get. Lloyd was playing well in training camp and was expected to have a key role within the offense. This is a disappointing blow for a Green Bay offense that has been expected to be a very powerful offense this season. For more on the Green Bay Packers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
