Colts backup QB Anthony Richardson runs for a TD in 13-13 preseason tie with Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Anthony Richardson believes he's done a good job turning the page during his NFL career.

That was on display when the former first-round pick took the field for his first action since early last season.

Richardson ran for a touchdown but had two turnovers as the Indianapolis Colts played to a 13-13 tie with the New England Patriots Thursday night in both teams' preseason opener.

New England backup quarterback Tommy DeVito threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams. Kindle Vildor and John Saunders Jr. each had an interception for the Patriots, who rested Drake Maye and the majority of their starters.

Richardson scored on a 1-yard sneak. He finished 11 of 14 for 145 yards but lost a fumble and had a pass tipped by receiver Coleman Owen and intercepted by Vildor.

“Getting back in my groove, it was a little rocky start for me in the beginning, but the guys on the sideline were just telling me to take the next play and just go next play after that,” Richardson said. “And we found a way to move the ball and eventually put some points up. ... That's all I was thinking about today — just execute.”

With quarterback Daniel Jones among the host of Colts starters who got the night off, Richardson — who appeared in only two games last season — got the start.

Indy’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft is hoping to solidify the backup job behind Jones. In 2024, Richardson had the lowest completion rate of any starter in the NFL.

The Colts had four turnovers and trailed most of the night before tying the game with 1:16 left on a 61-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader.

The Patriots moved into Indianapolis territory on a 19-yard pass from Behren Morton to Kobe Prentice. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Mekhi Rodgers moved the ball to the Colts 31. But Anthony Borregales' 49-yard field goal attempt with 13 seconds missed wide left.

There is no overtime in NFL preseason games.

Coach Mike Vrabel was on the sideline for New England after a trying offseason in which he sought counseling after numerous photos were published of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards in a solid first half. He was the third quarterback on New England’s roster last season behind Maye and Joshua Dobbs after being claimed off waivers in August 2025. He then became the primary backup in March after Dobbs was released, and DeVito was given a two-year extension.

While Maye and others Patriots starters who sat out were in uniform, one notable exception was cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

The fourth-year standout wasn’t seen on the field during pregame warmups or on the sideline. He also missed New England's joint practice with Indy on Tuesday. Vrabel said afterward that Gonzalez has an injury.

“Christian was unavailable, physically unavailable for the practice,” Vrabel said. “Just like other players that I told to have treatment, and everybody has a plan here, there were other guys that were in that same category. ... They were all in the same group of what they did.”

The back-to-back absences come as Gonzalez continues to negotiate with the team on a contract extension.

Even as Gonzalez’s representatives try to work out a deal to keep him in New England beyond the final year of his rookie deal in 2027, until Tuesday he’d remained a full participant on the field, even as workouts shifted to full pads.

Other Indianapolis first-teamers who joined Jones on the sideline in street clothes included center Tanor Bortolini, left guard Quenton Nelson, left tackle Bernhard Raimann, right guard Matt Goncalves, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, nose tackle Grover Stewart, cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive ends Laiatu Latu and Arden Key.

Colts: CB Jaylon Jones headed to the locker room after an injury in the third quarter.

Patriots: OL Ben Brown, who started the night at center, left in the second quarter and later walked to the locker room. ... G Andrew Rupcich walked off early in the fourth quarter and visited the medical tent but remained on the sideline.

Colts: Host Atlanta on Aug. 22

Patriots: Host Philadelphia on Aug. 22.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard, right, is hit after the pass by New England Patriots linebacker Jesse Luketa during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/CJ Gunther)

New England Patriots defensive back John Saunders Jr. (23) intercepts a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams celebrates his touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

New England Patriots Isaiah Iton forces Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) to fumble the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/CJ Gunther)

LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday that he is standing by his initial stance on allowing cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey previously worn by 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels — even in the face of objections and legal threats from the former Tigers quarterback.

“I commented a week ago on that,” Kiffin said after practice in Baton Rouge. “That's the comment that I had and we're moving forward.”

LSU's official online store has removed replica Daniels jerseys from the menu of those for sale, which include the No. 9 of 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and the No. 3 of former star receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Meanwhile, Pickett showed no interest in relinquishing the No. 5 when he spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice.

“I’ve been wearing the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old,” Pickett said. “That was the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best. Good player — he did real good here.”

Daniels, drafted second overall by the Washington Commanders in 2024, said in a social media post on Thursday that the matter would not affect his preparation for the NFL season.

“I have been locked in on training camp and that has been my No. 1 focus,” Daniels said in the post. “I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I'm proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there.

“Obviously there are issues to get worked out” with LSU, Daniels continued. “My hope is that it will get done privately. ... I realize the business of football is unique and I trust that this can all be resolved.”

Daniels' statement came in the wake of reports about a letter in which his Miami-based attorney, Adam Kenner, demanded that LSU no longer use his client's name, image or likeness to promote the university or its athletic programs.

Pickett wore a No. 3 jersey as a freshman last year but was wearing No. 5 when August camp opened last week. The 6-foot-5 cornerback is a former five-star recruit who had three interceptions in 2025.

Kiffin said last week that Pickett was promised the opportunity to wear No. 5 when he signed with LSU in December 2024, when Brian Kelly was coaching the Tigers. Kelly was fired in October 2025, and Kiffin was hired at the end of the regular season.

“When a kid’s promised something to come to a school, he should wear it,” Kiffin said during an Aug. 5 media session. “So at that point, I don’t think it’s really my decision. We should honor what he was told.”

Pickett is the first player to wear No. 5 since Daniels left LSU. Under LSU policy, the only number football players cannot wear is No. 20, worn by the late Billy Cannon, who was the Tigers' first Heisman winner in 1959.

Top LSU officials, including athletic director Verge Ausberry, have declined to comment on the matter.

A number of images of Daniels that are on display at LSU would be considered in the public domain, and not subject to any contractual agreements between the university and the quarterback. But LSU has in the past featured Daniels in promotional videos shown in Tiger Stadium or and elsewhere, and it remains to be seen whether LSU might edit some of those out should the dispute become protracted.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow — who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national title — declined to comment on the specifics of Daniels' situation after Thursday night’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions. But he said he's had conversations about his No. 9 not being issued to another player.

“They told me that they wouldn’t use it again, but you never know what happens,” he said.

AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Cincinnati contributed to this report.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out before a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)