Riley Leonard: Everything you need to know

Leonard competed with Anthony Richardson for the No. 2 quarterback role during the Colts' recent minicamp and remains in contention to serve as the primary backup to Daniel Jones (Achilles), Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar reports. Jones remains unavailable for team drills, affording both Leonard and Richardson plenty of reps in their head-to-head competition. Head coach Shane Steichen said there is currently no clear winner, and both quarterbacks will resume their job battle in training camp as Jones works his way back from the Achilles injury that derailed the Colts' 2025 season.

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.

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.