WESTFIELD — Anthony Richardson has thought about what it will be like Sunday to run out of the tunnel at Lucas Oil Stadium and hear the roar of a packed house again.

But the Indianapolis Colts quarterback is more focused on what will go on after the preseason opener kicks off against the Denver Broncos.

Richardson hasn’t played in a competitive setting since Oct. 8, 2023, when he suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder during a game against the Tennessee Titans.

“I guess the main thing is just me returning to the field,” he said Friday at Grand Park Sports Campus. “That’s pretty much the main thing on my mind. I haven’t played a down of football in a while. So it’s a blessing just to have the opportunity to get – to be able to get back on the field. So that’s one of the main things on my mind right now.”

Richardson’s final warmup was his most efficient performance of this year’s training camp.

Leading three drives with the first-team offense, he was 14-of-17 with three passing touchdowns and a rushing score.

The touchdown passes went to running back Trey Sermon, wide receiver Alec Pierce and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from between 10 to 15 yards out. The rushing touchdown came from the 15-yard line.

It was a continuation of the explosive potential the 22-year-old showed during his brief four-game stint as a rookie.

But he’s not measuring success against the Broncos by numbers.

Richardson’s rehab from shoulder surgery has gone well by all accounts. He hasn’t missed a rep through 10 training camp practices, and live game action is the next evolution.

“Just prove to myself that the hard work I’ve been putting in is definitely paying off,” Richardson said of his goals. “Just me executing the offensive game plan. Just me executing my position. Just being out there and just enjoying it.”

So much of Indianapolis’ success this season seems to be predicated on the quarterback taking an expected leap forward.

He’s completed 74 of 112 (66.1%) passes during training camp with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for four scores.

Sunday’s game against Denver will provide the first evidence of how those numbers translate to live action.

“He’s very excited (to get back on the field),” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “I’m happy for him to get back out there. It’s been a long process for him going through his rehab, but he’s attacked it the right way every day. And so to get him back out there with the guys on Sunday is going to be awesome.”

Richardson’s shown a deeper understanding of Indianapolis’ offensive scheme in Year 2. He’s throwing with more anticipation, and coaches and teammates have praised his ability to diagnose defensive coverages and get the offense into the right look.

Other elements of the quarterback’s game are harder to judge by the naked eye.

One of the most important factors for any young field general is leadership, and it’s an area in which teammates say Richardson is excelling.

“He’s healthy, he’s around the guys and he’s speaking up, getting everybody going, keeping everybody motivated,” running back Trey Sermon said. “And that’s what you need in a quarterback.”

Steichen said the starters will play just one or two series against the Broncos, and he’s looking for clean execution on the field.

Richardson understands the game is just one step — albeit an important one — on his path to proving he can be the franchise quarterback Indianapolis has longed for since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement in 2019.

If Richardson feels the pressure of such high expectations, however, he hides it well.

He’s shown maturity beyond his years from the moment he was drafted, and he’s approaching the start of his second season with a renewed passion for the game.

“I get to run out in front of the supporters and the fans again,” Richardson said. “They can see me live in effect once again. So it’s a blessing. I’m thankful that Coach Shane is letting me play this game, and I get to go out there and make a few plays.”