INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard will continue to be the primary backup to Colts starter Daniel Jones, Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said.
Leonard, the sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, has impressed the coaching staff with the way he’s handled the role.
Indianapolis signed veteran Brett Rypien to the practice squad after the team placed backup Anthony Richardson on injured reserve following an orbital fracture suffered in the pregame two weeks ago.
Leonard has convinced the Indianapolis coaching staff that he’s ready if something happens to Jones.
“He’s been preparing, like I said, since he got here,” Steichen said. “I like the way he works, the way he goes about his business.”
Rypien initially seemed like a potential option to take over as the primary backup, and Steichen did not immediately install Leonard to the backup role permanently.
But Rypien’s flights into Indianapolis were delayed too much to get him a full work week last week, placing Leonard in the role, and the rookie handled it like a veteran.
“Last week, he had a great week of preparation,” Steichen said. “He did it again this week, so he’ll be the backup.”
How long Leonard will be the team’s primary backup remains to be seen.
Richardson was placed on injured reserve early last week, meaning he must sit out at least the next three games — at home against Tennessee, on the road against Pittsburgh and in Berlin against Atlanta – before the bye week.
The Colts expect Richardson back at some point this season, and then the third-year quarterback will likely step back into the role he occupied to start the year.
For the moment, though, Leonard is the man who’ll take the reins if something happens to Jones.