Riley Leonard: Everything you need to know

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.

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 over the past weekend, 44-year-old Philip Rivers will head to the bench following a three-game run as starter as head coach Shane Steichen turns the offense over to Leonard. A rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, Leonard has seen spot playing time in three of his four appearances this season, with his lone extended action coming in Week 14 at Jacksonville after Daniel Jones exited early with a season-ending Achilles injury. Altogether, Leonard has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions while adding six yards and a score on three carries. Though Leonard 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 heading into 2026.