Riley Leonard’s final preseason showing against Detroit didn’t settle the Colts’ backup quarterback race, but it did offer one more look at the highs and lows that have defined his summer.
Leonard entered in the second quarter after starting the preseason finale and finished with a line that looks modest at first glance: 3-of-7 for 48 yards and an interception. But the numbers only tell part of the story, because he was under more heat than Anthony Richardson and still managed to salvage a couple of broken plays with his legs.
One of Leonard’s best moments helped ignite a touchdown drive. He found Anthony Gould on a corner route on 4th-and-6, and he also delivered a strong throw to Deion Burks along the sideline. Those snaps showed the kind of flashes the Colts have seen from him throughout the preseason.
The interception, though, came on a play where Leonard was pressured and tried to force something instead of taking the safer option. It was the kind of mistake that has been part of his evaluation this summer: good moments mixed with stretches of inconsistency.
Leonard wrapped up the preseason 20-of-42 passing for 199 yards with two interceptions. Like Richardson, he showed enough to keep the conversation alive, but not enough to make the answer obvious.
Shane Steichen said earlier this week that he didn’t have a timeline for announcing the backup quarterback decision. That call is expected soon, with the preseason ending on Saturday.
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