Colts backup QB Anthony Richardson runs for a TD in 13-13 preseason tie with Patriots

Anthony Richardson ran for a touchdown but had two turnovers in his first action since early last season as the Indianapolis Colts played to a 13-13 tie with the New England Patriots in both teams’ preseason opener

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Anthony Richardson believes he's done a good job turning the page during his NFL career.

That was on display when the former first-round pick took the field for his first action since early last season.

Richardson ran for a touchdown but had two turnovers as the Indianapolis Colts played to a 13-13 tie with the New England Patriots Thursday night in both teams' preseason opener.

New England backup quarterback Tommy DeVito threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams. Kindle Vildor and John Saunders Jr. each had an interception for the Patriots, who rested Drake Maye and the majority of their starters.

Richardson scored on a 1-yard sneak. He finished 11 of 14 for 145 yards but lost a fumble and had a pass tipped by receiver Coleman Owen and intercepted by Vildor.

“Getting back in my groove, it was a little rocky start for me in the beginning, but the guys on the sideline were just telling me to take the next play and just go next play after that,” Richardson said. “And we found a way to move the ball and eventually put some points up. ... That's all I was thinking about today — just execute.”

With quarterback Daniel Jones among the host of Colts starters who got the night off, Richardson — who appeared in only two games last season — got the start.

Indy’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft is hoping to solidify the backup job behind Jones. In 2024, Richardson had the lowest completion rate of any starter in the NFL.

The Colts had four turnovers and trailed most of the night before tying the game with 1:16 left on a 61-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader.

The Patriots moved into Indianapolis territory on a 19-yard pass from Behren Morton to Kobe Prentice. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Mekhi Rodgers moved the ball to the Colts 31. But Anthony Borregales' 49-yard field goal attempt with 13 seconds missed wide left.

Coach Mike Vrabel was on the sideline for New England after a trying offseason in which he sought counseling after numerous photos were published of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini.

DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards in a solid first half. He was the third quarterback on New England’s roster last season behind Maye and Joshua Dobbs after being claimed off waivers in August 2025. He then became the primary backup in March after Dobbs was released, and DeVito was given a two-year extension.

While Maye and others Patriots starters who sat out were in uniform, one notable exception was cornerback Christian Gonzalez.