Anthony Richardson, Top Players' Final Box Score Stats and Highlights from Falcons vs. Colts

Anthony Richardson didn't do himself any favors in his battle for the Indianapolis Colts' backup quarterback job during the team's 34-6 preseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Despite entering the game as 3.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel, the Colts faltered out of the gate and were outscored 24-6 in the first half.

Here is a look at the stat lines for Richardson and other notable contributors from the second game of the preseason for both Indianapolis and Atlanta:

Player	Comp/Att	Pass Yards	TD/INT	Rush Yards	Rush TD
Anthony Richardson (IND)	3/9	24	0/0	15	0
Jack Strand (ATL)	12/17	212	1/0	22	1
Cooper Rush (ATL)	10/11	86	0/0	0	0
Riley Leonard (IND)	7/14	62	0/0	2	0
Player	Carries	Rush Yards	Rush TD	Receptions	Receiving Yards
Tyler Goodson (ATL)	6	59	1	1	4
Player	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving TD	Yards Per Catch	Targets
Cash Jones (ATL)	4	62	1	15.5	4

With starting quarterback Daniel Jones sitting, Colts head coach Shane Steichen decided to give Riley Leonard and Richardson one half each in order to stake their claim to the QB2 spot.

After getting the start, Leonard struggled to get much going on offense during the first half, going just 7-of-14 for 62 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He then gave way to Richardson, who played the entire second half.

The offense didn't look any better with Richardson at the helm, as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft went just 3-of-9 for 24 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions through the air, while also rushing for 15 yards on three carries.

Neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Michael Penix Jr. saw action at quarterback for the Falcons, but their offense ran far more smoothly than Indy's nonetheless.

Even with star skill-position players in running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts all sitting, both Cooper Rush and Jack Strand impressed under center for Atlanta.

Rush got the start and played most of the first half, going 10-of-11 for 86 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Strand took over late in the first half and played the entire second half, going 12-of-17 for 212 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 22 yards and a score on nine totes.

An undrafted rookie out of Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead, Strand has been a revelation for the Falcons so far this preseason.

After Tagovailoa and Rush both played poorly in the Falcons' 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos in their preseason opener, Strand was responsible for Atlanta's only points, as he rushed for a one-yard touchdown.

It is unclear how many quarterbacks the Falcons intend to keep on their 53-man roster, but Strand has seemingly put himself firmly in the mix to be either the QB3 or the backup if Penix is not fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered last season once the 2026 regular season starts.

As for the Colts, Jones appears locked in as the starter despite coming back from a torn Achilles, but neither Richardson nor Leonard have firmly established themselves as the clear backup.

Both the Falcons and Colts will wrap up their preseason schedules next week when Atlanta faces the Miami Dolphins on Friday and Indianapolis faces the Detroit Lions on Saturday.