The Indianapolis Colts had been unraveling as of late, particularly offensively. A left fibula fracture to starting quarterback Daniel Jones proved as a hindrance to Indy’s efficiency and overall production over the past month of play, ultimately resulting in a 3-loss skid in four games.
Early against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, Daniel Jones’ healthy right leg gave up on him as he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game with an Achilles designation. Regardless of the severity at hand, separate injuries to each leg are likely enough to assume that he will miss time.
Given that backup quarterback and 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve as he works back from an orbital fracture in his face, it was rookie quarterback Riley Leonard serving as the de facto backup.
The Notre Dame quarterback was praised for his mobility, leadership, and poise as an NFL prospect. After a shell-shocking introduction to regular-season football (outside of garbage time in late October), Leonard settled in to showcase those very notes. His first full drive was cut short after two Jonathan Taylor rushes ended with a lost fumble, but he led the offense on a scoring drive in his first drive, where he was involved. Here are his passing stats from the drive in question:
6-10, 46 passing yards (7.6 avg), 71.3 passer rating on a 16-play, 64-yard scoring drive (field goal) that took 7:58 off the clock
For the most part, Leonard proved that he belongs. He may very well be destined for a career backup role, but even if that’s the case, it feels as though he could be a damn good one. Leonard did miss fellow rookie tight end Tyler Warren short in the red zone; however, that’d be nitpicking after all. It was a strong initial debut for a rookie who was never supposed to play this season.
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