Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard weigh in as Colts continue refining their quarterback pecking order

The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback competition is not resting. As the team continues its late-summer evaluation, reported that Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard have both taken snaps for the club, even as roster cutdown day looms and the organization has several important roster decisions to make.

In the background is a more specific question. also framed the matchup as part of the Colts’ broader quarterback planning, noting that one decision that may not be made immediately is who will serve as Daniel Jones’ backup. That creates a two-layer dynamic: the team is evaluating quarterbacks for the depth chart, but it is also managing timing, roster logistics, and the practicalities of finishing camp and trimming the roster.

Richardson Sr. and Leonard’s involvement matters because the backup quarterback role often comes down to more than a single practice rep. When two quarterbacks are receiving snaps during this stretch, it indicates the coaching staff is trying to separate them on day-to-day execution, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to run the offense cleanly with limited repetition.

’s treatment of the “backup battle” implies the Colts are not simply looking for a winner on paper. The team’s management of the competition is happening while the roster is still in motion. If the Colts wait to finalize the backup spot until closer to or after cutdowns, it reflects a common NFL approach: keep evaluating while the team determines the safest, most flexible configuration for gameday.

For Richardson Sr. and Leonard, the competitive environment can also function as a proving window. Even if the starting quarterback picture is settled, depth quarterback reps during training camp and the preseason portion of the calendar carry weight in how coaches interpret readiness, communication, and responsiveness to corrections. ’s focus on “standings” suggests each quarterback is aware that their reps are not occurring in a vacuum.

The key caveat is that “backup battle” language does not automatically mean the Colts will make a final call on Sunday or immediately after the article was published. specifically indicated that the backup choice behind Jones may not be made right away, meaning players still have time to influence the outcome through continued work and performance in whatever remaining practices and preseason actions follow.

What to watch next is how the Colts handle their final roster trimming and how that affects quarterback depth. If the team carries both Richardson Sr. and Leonard into the regular-season configuration, it could indicate the staff sees a close margin in readiness. If one is moved out before the Colts lock in their final gameday approach, it would suggest the evaluation has already crystallized into a clearer pecking order.