WESTFIELD, Ind. — The quarterback script remains unchanged, but with an adjustment.
As expected, Daniel Jones will be the starting quarterback Saturday when the Indianapolis Colts meet the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. That follows Anthony Richardson Sr. getting the nod in last Thursday’s preseason opener at Baltimore.
However, the first half playing time has been flipped following Richardson being limited to just seven snaps against the Ravens because of his dislocated right pinky.
Jones will “play a couple of series, and then Anthony will finish the first half,’’ coach Shane Steichen said Sunday afternoon at Grand Park.
Richardson was scheduled to play a quarter-and-a-half at Baltimore but exited the game after seven snaps with his right pinky pointing at a right angle. Jones replaced him and finished the first half, which consisted of 31 snaps.
That likely will be the split for week 2, with Richardson handling the heavier workload.
Jones should open against the Packers with a strong supporting cast. Steichen intends on the No. 1 offense playing about a quarter before giving way to the backups. That’s also the plan for Lou Anarumo’s defense.
Against the Ravens, the only projected offensive starters who saw action were Richardson, center Tanor Bortolini, right guard Matt Goncalves and rookie tight end Tyle Warren. The defense utilized only two starters: ends Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu.
Saturday’s game should include a handful of snaps for running back Jonathan Taylor.
Asked if the team’s top running back needed some preseason exposure, Steichen replied, “there’s no doubt.’’
The only time Taylor has played during the preseason was last summer. In week 1 against Denver, he had had two carries and 4 yards in seven snaps while in week 3 against Cincinnati, Taylor rushed four times for 15 yards in 12 plays.
“There’s certain guys that we’ll have a plan for,’’ Steichen said. “But for the most part, (the starters) will play.’’
QB update
The next week could be consequential in the open competition to determine the Colts’ starting quarterback for the Sept. 7 opener against Miami.
After a Monday afternoon practice, the Colts have a joint workout on Thursday against Green Bay before Saturday’s preseason game with the Packers.
“We’ll see how this thing plays out,’’ Steichen said.
Sunday, Jones was 8-of-15 with one touchdown pass in 11-on-11 work while Richardson finished 10-of-16.
Through 11 camp practices at Grand Park and the joint work against the Ravens, there hasn’t been much separating the two.
Unofficially, Richardson is 81-of-135 (60%) while Jones is 104-149 (69.8%). Richardson has been more effective throwing down the field with Jones’ short and intermediate accuracy being evident.
One of the better plays Sunday came on the first 11-on-11 snap.
Richardson lofted a deep pass along the left sideline to Alec Pierce. It was slightly underthrown, which made Pierce adjust. He went up for the contested opportunity against rookie cornerback Johnathan Edwards and came down with a reception of roughly 40 yards.
Richardson finished the opening “team’’ session by buying time in a busy pocket and finding Pierce in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown. In a game situation, Richardson probably would have been sacked.
Injuries piling up
The attrition of camp is taking hold, and decimating the Colts’ cornerback room.
Early in Sunday’s practice, trainers were checking Kenny Moore II’s right knee. The veteran cornerback limped off the field and didn’t return.
“I just heard a knee,’’ Steichen said. “I don’t have any more.’’
Also, Pierce suffered a groin injury midway through practice. He jogged to the medical tent, then returned and ran some agility drills on an adjacent practice field. After a few minutes, he limped off, climbed in a golf cart and was taken to the locker room.
“I think it happened in 7-on-7,’’ Steichen said. “I don’t know how bad it is.’’
Moore’s injury is the latest to deplete the cornerbacks’ room.
Rookie Justin Walley suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees in a joint practice with the Ravens. Veterans Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents continue to miss time with hamstring injuries.
Steichen couldn’t offer a timetable for the return of Jones and Brents.
Also, defensive end Kwity Paye is dealing with a groin injury and safety Nick Cross has a hip flexor issue.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.