The quarterback battle in Indianapolis has reached a critical juncture. With Anthony Richardson nursing an injured throwing hand and Daniel Jones building momentum from his extended playing time last week, Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers could finally tip the scales in this tightly contested competition.
Will Daniel Jones Play Against the Green Bay Packers?
Since training camp opened in July, Jones and Richardson have been locked in an intense battle for the starting job. Head coach Shane Steichen has consistently emphasized that every practice rep, meeting, and walkthrough matters in this evaluation process, and so far, neither quarterback has managed to separate himself from the other.
The dynamics shifted during the preseason opener against Baltimore when Richardson started but exited early after suffering a dislocated pinkie on his throwing hand. Jones stepped in and played the majority of the game, completing 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards. While the performance wasn’t spectacular, it allowed the veteran to build crucial momentum heading into Week 2.
Steichen confirmed earlier this week that Jones will start Saturday’s game against Green Bay and play a couple of series before Richardson takes over for the remainder of the first half. The Indianapolis Colts also held joint practices with the Packers leading up to the game, which Steichen said will be crucial for the team’s evaluation process.
“We got a joint practice, we got this week, we got this week and possibly next week,” Steichen said earlier this week. “And we’ll see how this thing plays out.”
The pressure is mounting with each passing day. Alongside the Cleveland Browns, the Colts remain one of only two NFL teams without a clear starter at quarterback. With just two preseason games remaining before the regular season begins, time is running short for one of these contenders to seize control of the position.
Where Can Fans Watch the Indianapolis Colts Face Green Bay?
Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, giving fans multiple viewing options for this pivotal matchup. Those in the Indianapolis area can watch the game live on CBS4 and Colts.com, with Greg Rakestraw handling play-by-play duties, Rick Venturi providing analysis, and Larra Overton reporting from the sideline. The Colts Radio Network will also carry the game across Indiana for listeners on the go.
Meanwhile, Packers fans can catch the action on a 22-station regional network led by WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee and WGBA-TV in Green Bay. Their broadcast will feature Kevin Harlan on play-by-play, former Packers fullback John Kuhn as analyst, and Ashley Washburn reporting from the sideline.
All Green Bay games can be heard on the Packers Radio Network, which consists of 54 stations throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
For out-of-market fans, the game will also stream live on NFL+, allowing viewers from anywhere to watch this crucial Colts-Packers preseason matchup.
A poised and efficient performance from Jones against Green Bay could tilt the competition in his favor and bring him one step closer to securing the starting job for Week 1.
However, if he struggles or shows inconsistency, the door remains wide open for Richardson to reclaim his starting role and showcase the upside that made him a top-five draft pick when he returns to full health.
