NFL preseason Week 3 highlights: Anthony Richardson looks sharp in start for Colts, pass rusher shows DROY potential

The preseason ends this weekend with a busy series of four-day games that culminates with a triple-header on Sunday. While teams don’t often field their starters in the final week of the preseason, it’s a fascinating period in which players on the bubble continue to make their case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

As they do so, we’ll also get to see some great plays that will end this year’s repertoire with an exclamation mark. Below, we’ll showcase all the top highlights that came out of Week 3 of the preseason.

In the fourth quarter of the final preseason game, guys just want to put good film on tape as a way forward to join their current team’s roster or another one in the league. Ian Book and Montrell Washington did just that. On a second-and-6 play from their own 41-yard line, Book uncorked a deep ball in the middle of the field, which Washington was able to catch despite two defenders.

This reception put the Chiefs on the doorstep of the end zone, which they found on the very next play when Book connected with tight end Baylor Kaup for a 10-yard score.

Carson Steele continues to shine for the Chiefs

The Chiefs may have found a gem in undrafted running back Carson Steele. Throughout the preseason, the UCLA product has been on fire, and that continued in the finale against the Bears. In the second quarter, Steele managed to gain 31-yards that initially looked like he reached the end zone. However, after review, it was deemed he was slightly behind, but Andy Reid quickly gave him the ball on the next play, which he turned into a goal-line touchdown.

Richardson’s fast opening drive ended with a TD

Anthony Richardson certainly looked like a player selected in the top five in the NFL Draft early in the game. In Indianapolis’ preseason finale against the Bengals on Thursday night, Richardson was explosive right out of the gate. The second-year quarterback completed seven of his eight passes on a 65-yard drive, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. Facing pressure, Richardson was able to zip a pass over the middle and Mitchell made his way across the goal line.

Colts pass rusher Laiatu Latu shows DROY potential

Indianapolis’ rookie class could be something special in Year 1. The first defensive player to be taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, Laiatu Latu flashed his potential in the Colts’ preseason finale against the Bengals, out-dueling left tackle Logan Woodside with relative ease. Latu is the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and that’s no surprise after watching his play.