Colts QB Anthony Richardson to Start Preseason Game vs. Bills

The Indianapolis Colts will start their rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson against the Buffalo Bills this weekend.

The Buffalo Bills now know which starting quarterback they will face in this weekend's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick in this year's draft, will be under center for the opposition, per Colts head coach Shane Steichen. 

The Bills' defense will get to work on determining their position battles against the rookie quarterback.

Richardson is unproven out of Florida. However, he's had a strong training camp and this preseason game could show plenty. At 6-4, 244 pounds, Richardson has the potential to show his dual-threat ability and he will be able to show whether or not he can protect the football.

It's notable to remember that Colts owner Jim Irsay said that Richardson "has to play to get better."

If the Colts want Richardson to be ready heading into Week 1 of regular season play, playing him in preseason and allowing him those game-speed reps in an actual game will be beneficial.

For the Bills, this benefits them trying to settle some position battles. It will be a huge day for two position in particular. The second starting cornerback position is undecided, so watching them battle things out against a starting-level quarterback will be huge. Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam are the two guys to keep an eye out in that aspect.

Alongside the cornerbacks, the middle linebacker position has yet to be determined. Tyrel Dodson and Terrel Bernard are likely the two main candidates for the position, and watching the two command the field against a dual-threat quarterback will show plenty to their abilities come regular season.

Though the Bills aren't playing their main offensive guys, watching the defense against such an athletic, young quarterback adds another wrinkle to the first preseason game.

The Colts and Bills kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at High Mark Stadium.

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