Anthony Richardson set to start Thursday vs. Patriots as Daniel Jones sits out preseason, per report

Anthony Richardson is expected to be the starting quarterback for his team in a Thursday preseason matchup against the New England Patriots, according to Yahoo Sports. The report also indicates that Daniel Jones will not play in the preseason game, setting up a contrast in preseason roles for two quarterbacks who are each closely monitored by their respective franchises.

The preseason opener for starters is often where teams separate urgency from evaluation. A team’s decision to install a quarterback at the top of the depth chart for a specific game usually reflects a desire to see timing and decision-making in live-game conditions, even if the broader evaluation process continues through the exhibition slate. For Richardson, starting Thursday would provide an extended window for the offense to work with his reads and cadence.

For Richardson, the backdrop is that preseason weeks can carry added attention when there is uncertainty surrounding how quickly a quarterback settles into a consistent rhythm. The Yahoo report frames the situation around the broader conversation around his future and how a strong showing could help accelerate next steps for his career. Even so, what happens on the field remains the most direct measure teams can evaluate in real time.

Daniel Jones, meanwhile, is reported to be unavailable for preseason action on Thursday. Veteran quarterbacks frequently sit with coaches’ decisions that prioritize health and repetition elsewhere, but the effect on the Giants’ early-season preparation is straightforward: the Giants will have to rely on other quarterbacks to run the offense and provide the staff with live looks.

The Patriots aspect also matters. New England’s preseason defense typically uses the exhibition phase to test coverage concepts, blitz packages, and communication among new and rotating pieces. If Richardson is indeed taking the first-team snaps, the matchup offers a clearer look at how his accuracy and pocket processing translate against live pressures rather than scripted practice periods.

It is also a reminder that preseason plans can change as teams manage workloads, and reports do not always capture late shifts. Still, if the expectation holds, the Thursday game becomes a near-term measuring stick for Richardson’s command of the offense’s tempo, while Jones’ absence will shape how the Giants build their next set of quarterback evaluations.

For fans, the immediate watch item is how long Richardson operates with the first unit and how the play-calling supports the offense early. For the Giants, the watch is who receives the most meaningful reps in Jones’ place, and whether the staff can maintain offensive efficiency without their usual starter in the lineup.