Quarterback Anthony Richardson will officially see his first game action since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5 last year.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters during his Friday news conference that Richardson and the rest of the starters -- save possibly a couple unnamed players -- will play "a series or two" in the team's preseason opener on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, per team reporter Larra Overton.
Giving Richardson some run early in the preseason doesn't comes as much of a surprise following his rookie season, which was tantalizingly flashy but cut far too short.
The 2023 No. 4 overall pick started four games in his inaugural NFL campaign, throwing for 577 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while adding another 136 yards and four scores with his legs.
Although he's still been around the team and facility to develop following the surgery on his AC joint and has been full-go in training camp, he's still only had a month's worth of regular-season starts to jell with the rest of the offense.
Sunday will provide another opportunity to build chemistry, and with most the rest of the starters taking the field alongside him, could also provide a long-awaited glimpse at the combo of Richardson and his star running back, Jonathan Taylor.
Thanks to Taylor missing the first four contests of last season and Richardson falling to injury in the second quarter of Taylor's first game back, the two have played just a couple of snaps together.
Steichen is excited for what's to come from the QB and RB working in tandem.
“Those two guys are super explosive in the backfield," he said. "JT is phenomenal, I mean one of the best backs in the league. His vision, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. Just the way he sees the holes is very impressed. He’s got the nice, little press the hole, the jump cut, and boom, that burst, you know, hit it and score. Can’t wait for that.”
Whatever fireworks they provide will be an added bonus as the Colts kick off their preseason.
The bigger goal, of course, will be Richardson getting through his drive or two healthy as he gets his feet wet again.