Colts' Riley Leonard: Produces three TDs in first start
Rotowire
Leonard completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans. He added 21 rushing yards and a TD on three carries but lost two fumbles.
Despite the turnovers, it was a surprisingly productive performance from the sixth-round rookie in his first career NFL start against an elite Houston defense that still had something to play for when the game began. Both of Leonard's passing TDs went to Alec Pierce, and the QB's one-yard rushing score in the third quarter briefly gave Indy a 24-23 lead. The Colts' quarterback situation heading into 2026 remains murky with Daniel Jones (Achilles) a free agent and Anthony Richardson (eye) barely playing this season and getting little chance to further his development, but Leonard is unlikely to find himself at the top of the depth chart in Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Week 18 start confirmed
Rotowire
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Leonard will start Sunday's season finale against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
Additionally, Steichen noted that the Colts won't activate Anthony Richardson (orbital) from injured reserve this week. Veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers' three-week stint as the team's starter thus concludes, with practice squad member Seth Henigan a candidate to be elevated ahead of Week 18 action in order to back Leonard up. Leonard represents a fantasy lineup option for those scrambling for QB help this weekend, given that teams such as the Chargers (who plan to rest Justin Herbert) may elect to keep a number of starters out of harm's way.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: In line to start season finale
Rotowire
The Colts plan to have Leonard start at quarterback in Sunday's season finale at Houston, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.
With the Colts getting eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, 44-year-old Philip Rivers will head to the bench as head coach Shane Steichen turns the offense over to Leonard. A rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, Leonard has made four appearances this season, with his lone extended action coming in Week 14 at Jacksonville after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Leonard has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions this season while adding six yards and a score on three carries. Though he likely isn't seen as the Colts' long-term answer at quarterback, a strong showing in Week 18 could strengthen his case for sticking around as a backup option in 2026.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Could be option to start Week 18
Rotowire
Leonard could be an option to start the Colts' regular-season finale next Sunday against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
Coach Shane Steichen said he'll make a decision on the Week 18 starter Tuesday. Indianapolis was officially eliminated from playoff contention Saturday when the Texans defeated the Chargers, but after Philip Rivers went through practice all week as the starter, the 44-year-old veteran got the nod for Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars. With Indy having blown a 7-1 start to the season and now sitting at home for the postseason, the team may use Week 18 to get a look at Leonard, a sixth-round rookie who has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards and a pair of interceptions so far in the NFL, including one INT on a Hail Mary at the end of Week 17's loss to the Jaguars. He's added six yards and one touchdown on three carries, but he showed more mobility in college, running for an impressive 906 yards and 17 TDs as a senior with the Fighting Irish. As it stands, Leonard should probably be viewed as the favorite to start against Houston next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Remaining backup in Week 17
Rotowire
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Leonard will remain in a backup role Sunday against the Jaguars while Philip Rivers makes a third straight start at quarterback, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
The Colts will be eliminated from playoff contention if the Texans beat the Chargers on Saturday, but Steichen confirmed that Rivers will continue to direct the offense regardless of the outcome of that contest. More specifically, Steichen said that it wouldn't be "fair" to ask rookie Leonard to start on 24 hours' notice if Rivers takes first-team reps throughout the week, which he has been doing since signing with the Colts in Week 15. Though the Colts have suffered losses to the playoff-bound squads in the Seahawks and 49ers in Rivers' two starts, the 44-year-old has given Indianapolis some stability under center following Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles surgery. Rivers won't be part of the Colts' long-term plans, however, so if the team does get eliminated in Week 17, Steichen could entertain the idea of starting Leonard or third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (orbital) -- if available -- in the regular-season finale against the Texans.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Headed for backup role Week 15
Rotowire
Leonard is expected to serve as the Colts' backup quarterback in Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Leonard appeared poised to take on starting duties for the rest of the season after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon during the Colts' Week 14 loss to the Jaguars. However, Indianapolis opted to sign Philip Rivers on Wednesday, and after he and Leonard split first-team reps during Week 15 prep, the Colts are leaning toward having the 44-year-old veteran make his first NFL start since the 2020 season. How Rivers plays Sunday will likely determine whether he remains at the helm for the Colts for the rest of the 2025 campaign, or if Leonard gets a shot at some point.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Full practice, Week 15 starter TBD
Rotowire
Leonard (knee) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday.
Per JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site, Leonard -- who replaced an injured Daniel Jones (Achilles) in this past Sunday's loss to the Jaguars -- emerged from the game with a Grade 1 PCL sprain. However, his full participation in Wednesday's practice session puts him in position to be available Sunday against the Seahawks. With Jones out for the rest of the season and Anthony Richardson (orbital) still on injured reserve, Brett Rypien was signed to the team's active roster, and 44-year-old Philip Rivers officially joined Indianapolis' practice squad Wednesday. At this stage, head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged that the Colts' Week 15 quarterback plans have yet to be determined, and it's possible that Rivers could get the nod rather than Leonard versus Seattle, depending on how the former fares at practice this week.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: In line to practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Leonard (knee) will practice Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
With Daniel Jones out for the season due to an Achilles' injury and Anthony Richardson (orbital) still on IR, Leonard is candidate to start Sunday's game against the Seahawks. However, now that he's dealing with a knee injury the QB's status will need to be monitored closely. Leonard's looming practice participation is a positive sign, but at this stage coach Shane Steichen has yet to reveal the Colts' Week 15 QB plans. Also in the mix on that front are Brett Rypien, who was signed to the team's active roster Wednesday, as well as 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who has officially joined Indianapolis' practice squad. Per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis, when asked if Leonard would start this weekend if healthy, Steichen said "we will see" while noting that Rivers will be evaluated in practice this week.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Tending to strained knee
Rotowire
Leonard sustained a strained right knee ligament in Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Jaguars and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Pressed into duty after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury early in Sunday's contest, Leonard completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while adding five yards and a touchdown in his first extended NFL action. Though he's expected to take over as the Colts' starter in place of Jones, Leonard will first have to prove that the knee issue isn't severe enough to keep him sidelined Week 15 against the Seahawks. Even if Leonard is ultimately cleared to play, Indianapolis will almost certainly have to bring in quarterback depth this week, and reports have recently emerged that 44-year-old Philip Rivers will be brought in for a workout Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Week 15 status uncertain
Rotowire
Coach Shane Steichen noted Monday that "the hope" is Leonard (right knee) will be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
At this stage, Steichen can't say for certain that Leonard will be available this weekend, which means that current practice squad member Brett Rypien may be pressed into duty in Week 15. In any case, it seems likely that the Colts will bring in another QB in short order, with Daniel Jones out for the season with an Achilles' injury and Anthony Richardson (orbital) still on IR.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Debuts for final two drives
Rotowire
Leonard took the field for the Colts' final two possessions of Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans, throwing incompletions on two pass attempts and rushing once for one yard.
A healthy inactive for the Colts' first five contests, Leonard handled backup quarterback duties for the third game in a row after Anthony Richardson suffered a fractured orbital in a pregame workout prior to the team's Week 6 win over the Cardinals. Though Brett Rypien looms on the practice squad as a potential alternative for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, Leonard looks poised to stick around as Daniel Jones' top backup until Richardson is ready to return from injured reserve. The rookie out of Notre Dame got the chance to make his NFL debut in garbage time of Sunday's blowout win, going three-and-out on both of the drives he directed.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Remains No. 2 quarterback
Rotowire
Head coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Leonard will remain the Colts' No. 2 quarterback "for now," James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
The 2025 sixth-round pick from Notre Dame served as Indianapolis' emergency third quarterback for the first five games of the season. However, with Anthony Richardson (orbital) being placed on injured reserve Oct. 13, Leonard stepped in as starter Daniel Jones' top backup in the Week 7 win over the Chargers, and the Colts appear content to stick with Leonard in the No. 2 role for at least another week. Brett Rypien looms on the practice squad as a more experienced option if the Colts elect to replace Leonard down the road.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Tabbed as emergency QB for Week 4
Rotowire
Leonard (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams but will serve as the Colts' emergency third-string quarterback.
Leonard has been Indy's emergency third-string quarterback for every game so far this season. He will only be eligible to enter the game if both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are forced out due to injury, illness or ejection.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Emergency QB3 vs. Denver
Rotowire
Leonard (coach's decision) is inactive against the Broncos on Sunday but will serve as the Colts' emergency third-string quarterback.
As the emergency third-string quarterback, Leonard will see the field Sunday only if both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson were to leave due to injury, illness or ejection.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Sharp in preseason finale
Rotowire
Leonard completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and rushed once for 14 yards in the Colts' 41-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday afternoon.
The rookie sixth-round pick drew the start and took full advantage of his extended opportunity, leading an 11-play, 56-yard march that culminated in a field goal to open the contest and eventually spearheading touchdown drives of 83 yards (12 plays) and 77 yards (four plays). Leonard's one scoring toss was a noteworthy one, where he slung a 59-yard dart to Laquon Treadwell with time winding down in the first half. Leonard completed just 50.0 percent of his passes in his preseason debut against the Ravens back on Aug. 7, but he finished strong by going 22-for-32 for 253 yards and Saturday's scoring toss over the final two exhibitions. Leonard also made an impression on the ground by rushing for 58 yards on seven carries across all three preseason tilts, seemingly leaving him with a solid chance of securing the No. 3 job behind Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Improves in second preseason game
Rotowire
Leonard was 7-for-12 for 64 yards without a touchdown or interception in Saturday's preseason loss to Green Bay. He also had two carries for 10 yards.
Leonard wasn't overly impressive but improved after throwing an ugly interception in his first preseason game. Leonard still appears ahead of Jason Bean for the No. 3 QB role, as Bean played after Leonard in the fourth quarter.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Mixed performance in pro debut
Rotowire
Leonard completed 12 of 24 passes for 92 yards with an interception in Thursday's preseason loss at Baltimore. He also had four carries for 34 yards.
It was a mixed performance for Leonard as he played the full second half. He led the Colts on their only touchdown drive but also had an ugly interception. Leonard appears ahead of Jason Bean (who didn't play in the game) for the No. 3 QB role. Leonard did show off his rushing ability on several occasions, a trait that would enhance his fantasy value if he gets playing time.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Riley Leonard: Indy picks up QB in sixth round
Rotowire
The Colts selected Leonard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 189th overall.
Leonard started for two seasons at Duke in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Notre Dame in 2024, where he posted a career-best 66.7 completion percentage on 269-for-403 passing, racking up 2,861 passing yards and a 21:8 TD:INT ratio. While Leonard doesn't have lightning speed, he's certainly mobile, racking up 900 rushing yards and a Fighting Irish single-season record for rushing scores in a season with 17. There are still some questions surrounding his ability to push the ball down the field consistently. However, he fits nicely into Shane Steichen's offense behind uber-athletic Anthony Richardson, who's had his problems staying healthy early in his career. Leonard likely fits in behind Daniel Jones, an offseason acquisition by the Colts, as the potential third-string quarterback.
