Late field goal salvages draw in Gillette preseason opener
The Indianapolis Colts opened their 2026 preseason schedule with a 13-13 tie against the New England Patriots Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, a game that highlighted ongoing competitions at quarterback and kicker and offered a mixed bag of encouraging plays and concerning mistakes for Indianapolis.
Special teams played a decisive role. Colts rookie Spencer Shrader, who had been trailing in the kicking competition, delivered a dramatic response when he connected on a 61-yard field goal with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to knot the game. Earlier, Shrader also made a 46-yard field goal in the fourth.
For the Patriots, Blake Grupe had an opportunity from long range but missed a 61-yard attempt, a miss that ultimately became consequential when Shrader answered late.
Offensive and defensive flashes — and miscues
For the Colts' offense, the evening was a mixture of promise and inconsistency. Rookie running-threat Anthony Richardson (Sr.) produced a highlight with a rushing touchdown, showcasing the athletic upside the franchise hoped to cultivate. But he also turned the ball over twice, underscoring the turnovers that limited Indianapolis' margin for victory.
Riley Leonard, another contender to work his way up the quarterback depth chart, had a handful of bright moments early in a drive but also struggled with ball security. Leonard finished with several incompletions and suffered a botched snap that culminated in a muff and two incomplete throws during that sequence.
"Caden Curry just ended a New England drive with an excellent inside move to sack Behren Morton on 3rd-and-6,"
On defense, a local product made his presence felt. Rookie defensive end Caden Curry, a standout from Center Grove High School, delivered a pivotal inside move to sack Patriots quarterback Behren Morton on third-and-6 and force a punt. Curry also was a starter on the Colts' kickoff units, a sign coaches may be considering him for a role on the 53-man roster.
Injuries also flared up. Cornerback Jaylon Jones left the game after appearing to be hurt while making a pass deflection down the sideline. He was slow to rise, transferred to the medical tent and then taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
What coaches and fans will take away
The final score belies several storylines that will concern Indianapolis' coaching staff as the preseason progresses. Turnovers and special-teams swings kept the Colts from building separation from a Patriots roster that would have been viewed as beatable on several drives.
Still, the game offered tangible reasons for optimism: Shrader’s leg gives the Colts another legitimate option in the kicking derby; Curry’s play suggests a potential developmental pass-rusher; and Richardson’s rushing touchdown reminded observers why the team invested in his unique athletic skill set.
- Final score: Colts 13, Patriots 13
- Key Colts plays: Spencer Shrader 61-yard field goal; Anthony Richardson rushing touchdown; Caden Curry sack on 3rd-and-6
- Injury note: Jaylon Jones exited after a sideline collision and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation
| Team | Key scoring plays |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | Shrader 61-yd FG (late); Shrader 46-yd FG; Anthony Richardson rushing TD |
| New England Patriots | Tommy DeVito 12-yd pass to Kyle Williams (TD) |
Preseason outcomes rarely settle roster questions, but Thursday’s opener gave Colts coaches and fans a set of concrete issues to monitor. Kicking duels, quarterback decision-making and the availability of key defensive backs will shape final roster moves as Indianapolis prepares for its regular-season opener.
As the Colts head back to Indianapolis, the takeaway is clear: there were enough positives to keep coaches intrigued, but enough flaws to ensure competition for roster spots remains fierce.
