WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition is back in full swing after Anthony Richardson returned to practice Saturday.
His return comes two days after he dislocated the pinkie on his right hand in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Richardson was injured on Indy's second possession when unblocked linebacker David Ojabo drove Richardson into the ground. Richardson said he noticed the pinkie was bent at an awkward angle when he got up and headed immediately to the sideline where trainers popped the finger into place.
He attempted to throw on the sideline but did not return.
It's the latest chapter in a short career that has been beset by injuries.
Richardson is 8-7 in 15 starts since the Colts drafted him No. 4 overall in 2023. Richardson also has been unable to finish several other games because of injuries and was benched for two games last season after leaving a game because he needed a breather.
His other problem; Accuracy. Richardson completed 47.7% of his passes last season, the lowest rate among the league's regular starters, while throwing 13 career interceptions compared with 11 TD passes.
The combination prompted Indy to sign free agent Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million free agent deal in March, setting up a competition between the incumbent and Jones, who was selected sixth overall by the New York Giants in the 2019 draft.
Jones was released during last season less than two years after he was rewarded for taking the Giants to the playoffs with a four-year, $160 million contract extension.
Jones was 10 of 21 with 144 yards at Baltimore while Richardson was 2 of 3 with 21 yards.
Prior to the game, coach Shane Steichen said he intended to start Richardson against Baltimore and let him play more than one quarter before flipping the script next Saturday against Green Bay.
But afterward, Steichen acknowledged the plan could change — if Richardson could play against the Packers. Steichen was not scheduled to meet with reporters at training camp until Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. talks to reporters following an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo (90) during the firs half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo (90) during the firs half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston's first two drives of the game, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday and clinch a third consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.
The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak since winning nine straight in 2018.
The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped and handed the AFC West title to idle Denver. They beat the first-place Broncos in Week 3, but blew a chance to set up a winner-take-all showdown in Denver in Week 18.
The Chargers got knocked out of the playoffs in a wild-card loss to Houston last season.
Stroud's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit Jayden Higgins for a 75-yard score against busted coverage. Stroud wasn't pressured when he threw a 43-yard TD to Jaylin Noel, who wasn't covered.
The Chargers had allowed just one TD pass of 40 or more yards in their last 15 games.
Stroud completed his first six throws of the game. He finished 16 of 28 for 244 yards and two interceptions.
Houston's defense forced third-down sacks of Justin Herbert on the Chargers' first two possessions. They were three-and-out on three of their first four possessions, quieting the SoFi Stadium crowd.
Playing his third game with a broken left (non-throwing) hand, Herbert was 21 for 32 for 236 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked five times.
Derwin James Jr. intercepted Stroud in the second quarter, but the Chargers only managed a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker on the turnover to trail 14-3. Another interception of Stroud failed to produce any points despite both miscues coming in Houston territory.
Herbert was intercepted by Azeez Al-Shaair at the Houston 1-yard line. The ball, intended for Oronde Gadsden, popped off his hands and Al-Shaair came down with it for his second interception of the season. Gadsden held his face in his hands on the bench.
Dicker missed a field goal from under 40 yards for the first time in his career just before halftime, leaving the Chargers trailing 14-3. He later was wide left to miss his first point after attempt of the season on the Chargers' final drive after Omarion Hamption's 5-yard TD run made it 20-16.
Ka'imi Fairbairn had field goals of 41 and 44 yards for Houston.
The Chargers closed to 17-10 after a wild drive in which Herbert was sacked twice and threw two incompletions before finding Gadsden in the back of the end zone for a 1-yard TD in the third.
Texans: CB Kamari Lassiter (knee) left in the second quarter and later returned.
Chargers: RB Hassan Haskins was evaluated for a head injury in the fourth.
Texans: Play Indianapolis to end the regular season.
Chargers: Visit Denver to end the regular season.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Nico Collins during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
