INDIANAPOLIS —The level of interest in an NFL preseason game rests in the eye of the beholder. Always and forever.
Fans endure the three-pack, knowing the regular season looms.
Coaches maximize the four quarters and 150-odd plays each time out, all-too-aware there are difficult decisions to be made before rosters are trimmed to 53 on Aug. 27. Video review is paramount.
A player’s interest can be influenced by a time-and-place situation.
After embracing his first game action in roughly 308 days — seven plays, four pass attempts, one scramble — quarterback Anthony Richardson was being interviewed by Indianapolis Colts’ sideline reporter Larra Overton near the bench.
It was midway through the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos, and Richardson had to essentially call an audible in mid-sentence. As he was answering a question, Richardson glanced at a stadium Jumbotron.
“Whenever I do get my opportunities . . . Oh, snap,” Richardson said.
Catching Richardson’s eye was rookie cornerback Micah Abraham prying the football out of the hands of Broncos’ running back Audric Estime, snatching it out of the air and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown.
“I just enjoy seeing people ball out,’’ Richardson said, “regardless of who it is, whether they’ve got a spot on the team or not. They’re working for it.
“Just seeing people ball out is always good. I hope people enjoy me balling out. Just seeing guys do their thing is a blessing.’’
Interest came in different forms.
Let’s not dismiss the singular highlight of Abraham’s thievery. The seventh-round draft pick is looking to find a spot at corner, perhaps as Kenny Moore II’s backup at nickel.
“My dad is big on when opportunity comes, make the most of it,’’ said Abraham, whose father, Donnie, was a veteran of nine NFL seasons. “I always take that to heart.
“I knew I had to make a play fast because I missed a tackle a few plays before that. My mentality is you miss a play, you make a play.’’
And give running back Evan Hull his due. He provided an early spark by converting a fourth-and-3 with a 15-yard catch-and-run out of the backfield. He then plowed into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.
The 2023 fifth-round draft pick missed the final 16 games of his rookie season with a knee injury. This year, he might challenge for the No. 2 back spot, especially after Trey Sermon was forced from Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury.
“He ran with an edge,’’ starting halfback Jonathan Taylor said.
Also, Kenny Moore II was Kenny Moore II. When Denver running back Samaje Perine bobbled a pass from Jarrett Stidham, Moore II was there to secure the interception.
Let’s not forget rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu. The 15th overall pick in the April draft took the next step in his NFL development — offseason work, training camp, preseason — against the Broncos. His first snap came on a third-and-12 in the first quarter.
Was he surprised the Broncos hit him with a double team?
“Hell yeah,’’ Latu said. “The first play I got in there, I got a chip. I wasn’t thinking I was going to get double-teamed like that.
“They respected my game a little bit.’’
Latu was credited with one solo tackle, but seemed to produce pressure in passing situations.
But the overriding interest Sunday was elsewhere.
It was: How’d Anthony Richardson look?
It marked the first time the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft stepped on the field since Oct. 8 when he suffered a season-ending sprain to his right shoulder against the Tennessee Titans.
Richardson’s exhilaration was obvious and evident early. Prior to the game and in full uniform, he paused on the field and pointed to the sky/roof.
“That’s something that I do every chance I get an opportunity to step on the field,’’ Richardson said. “That’s just me thanking God for the opportunity again. Everybody don’t get this opportunity to be on the field. Everybody don’t get the chance to be in the NFL.
“Throughout this whole process, I’ve been anxious to do a lot of things — just practice and put my helmet on again. So, it’s just taking it step-by-step, day-by-day. Today, we had a game, and it just felt good being out there again.’’
Taylor is heading into his fifth season and saw his first exposure in the preseason. He finished with 4 yards on two carries.
Last season, Taylor and Richardson were on the field together for a total of two plays. They exceeded that Sunday, and are expected to form a dynamic tandem this season.
From his vantage point, Taylor noticed Richardson’s joy at getting back on the field,
“Oh, my,’’ Taylor said. “Any time you have the game taken away from you for a significant period of time, it’s just that much better when you finally get to go back out there.’’
Even in a preseason game?
“Any time the game is taken away from you, especially in his case,” Taylor said. “First year, just getting started and then — boom! — you’re out.
“You just gain another level of appreciation for it that you didn’t even know you had.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
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