Latest news with #AnthonyRichardson
New York Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Anthony Richardson's latest injury proves Colts were wise to invest in Daniel Jones
INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson dropped back to pass, surveyed the field and just before the Indianapolis Colts quarterback normally would have prepared to throw, he didn't raise his right arm. He didn't even have a football in his hands. When the first pass zipped through the air toward a receiver on the final day of Colts organized team activities last week, it was because Daniel Jones, not Richardson, put it there. Richardson obviously would've liked to participate, especially during such a pivotal offseason with so much riding on his forthcoming third NFL campaign. But in what's become a theme throughout the young QB's career, mental reps were all he could manage. Advertisement Richardson was shut down May 29 after reporting what Colts coach Shane Steichen described as an 'aggravation' to the AC joint in his throwing shoulder. The 23-year-old suffered a severe AC joint sprain in October 2023 of his rookie year that required season-ending surgery. Now, roughly 20 months later, he's once again feeling pain in his shoulder and will be out indefinitely, according to Steichen. So, as the Colts begin their three-day veteran minicamp Tuesday, the mental reps will continue — and so will the questions about Richardson's chances to one day become the face of the franchise. The odds of that ever happening appear to be dwindling by the day, especially if his body won't allow him to take the field. 'We'll see when he comes back. Not going to put a timetable for training camp on it, but when he does come back, we'll ease him into throwing, and we'll go from there,' Steichen said. 'The good thing is, he's not going to need a procedure right now.' The Colts were prepared for something like this, even if it happened sooner than they may have expected. That's why, in hindsight, declaring an open QB competition this offseason, before the team had even signed another quarterback to challenge Richardson, made so much sense. Now, it's Jones' job to lose as he takes full control of the QB1 duties. 'He's been great,' Steichen said of Jones. 'He's done a really nice job for us, obviously, acclimating to the offense, learning … the system. Obviously, a smart guy understands it. He's picked it up real nice, and he's done some good things so far.' Jones would never say it so bluntly publicly, but a big reason he came to Indianapolis on a one-year, $14 million deal, while leaving comparable money on the table in Minnesota (following his dismissal from the Giants), was that he thought he could beat Richardson out for the job. For Jones, who started 69 games in New York, this season is a shot at redemption. For Richardson, who's started just 15 games, it's a chance to finally put everything together. Advertisement Entering this offseason, Richardson knew he must improve as a leader following a two-game benching last year due to a lack of preparation. He also knew he must improve as a passer following a league-low 47.7 completion percentage in 2024. But of all the areas he needs to grow in, it's Richardson's durability, first and foremost, that continues to hold him back. Colts GM Chris Ballard said so himself. 'The No. 1 thing we have to figure out, and what Anthony's got to work through, is staying healthy,' Ballard said in his season-ending news conference in January. 'He's got to be able to stay healthy. And that to me is probably the biggest question right now, because now we're going on two seasons in a row where he's dealt with injuries.' Richardson has missed 17 games due to injury over his first two seasons. Thirteen absences were during his rookie season, when he was sidelined one game due to a concussion and another 12 because of the AC joint sprain. Four more absences came last year, when Richardson missed two games due to an oblique injury and another two because of back spasms. The 2023 No. 4 pick, whom Ballard drafted to be the Colts' first long-term answer at QB since Andrew Luck, has never started more than four games in a row in the NFL. This season was supposed to be different, and it still could be if Richardson returns fully healthy in training camp, firmly reestablishes himself as the starting QB and delivers a career year in 2025. But for now, there is no way to spin Richardson's latest injury as anything but a setback. It's simply another roadblock in a career that's seen too many of them, with this latest one providing the opportunity for Jones to put a stranglehold on the QB1 job ahead of Week 1. 'Everybody can look at the situation differently. I always like to say I'm blessed, honestly,' a rejuvenated Richardson said of the Colts' QB competition in April. 'I still have an opportunity to be in the NFL, still have an opportunity to go out there and compete and win the job for this team. 'I feel like I got drafted again.' But now the question becomes: When will he feel healthy again?
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Indianapolis Colts' QB Anthony Richardson getting another opinion on shoulder
Report: Indianapolis Colts' QB Anthony Richardson getting another opinion on shoulder Colts' QB Anthony Richardson is reportedly getting another opinion on his injured shoulder. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is going to miss this week's minicamp practices with a shoulder injury. As Shane Steichen described prior to Thursday's final OTA practice, Richardson experienced shoulder pain the week prior. Upon further evaluation, the testing revealed that the pain was related to the same AC joint that Richardson injured during his rookie season. Steichen did not provide a specific timeline for Richardson's return, other than mentioning that he hoped to have him back at some point during training camp. Since then, reports from NFL insiders have been more promising. This includes Tom Pelissero saying that Richardson would "1,000 percent" be ready for training camp, although he added the caveat that even if he is available on Day 1, that doesn't mean he's going to be a full go. On the flip side of that, while making an appearance on the 'Rich Eisen Show,' Albert Breer's insight into Richardson's shoulder injury was far less promising, saying that the quarterback was going to get a second opinion. "It was the second day of OTAs that they shut him down," Breer said. "He's going to visit with Dr. Neil ElAttrache, I believe that's going to happen this week to go and get it checked out. ElAttrache was the one who did the surgery initially. It's one of those Rich, when you're talking about the soreness coming back in the shoulder, and no he hasn't had surgery yet, but he's going to have more opinions on it, it just gets you worried. "I would say I take both of them very seriously because anything to do with a quarterback's throwing shoulder, elbow, wrist, whatever is serious, but when it's a repeat, that's when it's like oh boy. It seems at least right now like there's a really good chance Daniel Jones is going to be the starting quarterback for the Colts in Week 1 and Anthony Richardson faces a lot of uncertainty going forward." The hope would be that this is the Colts and Richardson being cautious with his shoulder, but as Breer mentions, second opinions, particularly on a quarterback's throwing arm, aren't a good thing generally. Even if Richardson is good to go for training camp, he's going to be playing catch-up when it comes to competing with Daniel Jones. Richardson will have missed most of OTAs, all of minicamp, and whatever time is potentially needed to ramp up during training camp. This isn't to say that Richardson can't still win the job in this scenario, but he'll have to make up ground quickly.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Another injury for Anthony Richardson has soured his prospects as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback though some are already projecting a new place for him with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Another injury for Anthony Richardson has soured his prospects as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback though some are already projecting a new place for him with the Pittsburgh Steelers. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers finally made the worst kept secret in football an official matter of business this week when the veteran quarterback signed with the team. Pittsburgh had one of the more questionable quarterback situations in the AFC before the deal that now provides at least some temporary stability. Advertisement Temporary is the key word here because the Steelers have struggled to settle on a bona fide franchise centerpiece since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. Rogers takes the reins this time for 2025 but the Steelers again failed in that conquest this offseason. Rodgers will be gone after this season, leaving the Steelers in the same predicament. A better quarterback class projected in next year's draft could point them in the right direction. However, one analyst believes their next franchise quarterback may already be in the league. ESPN's Kevin Clark urged last week on "NFL Live" that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson could be in play when the Steelers are forced into another quarterback decision a year from now. 'I've never seen anybody more destined to be in the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition than Anthony Richardson, because I'm looking at this and I'm seeing a training camp where Daniel Jones will probably start with the ones... He's going to get a good start somewhere else.' Clark's belief comes under the premise that the Colts are not willing to wait on him to put the pieces together. Injuries have plagued his young career and another shoulder injury has befallen him this offseason. Advertisement If Daniel Jones proves capable, it's likely the Colts ride the hot hand and look for on off ramp on Richardson. However, the Steelers should not be the team ready to provide it. The Steelers need-long term stability under center. Richardson's track record to this point screams the opposite. While he has a fascinating collection of physical gifts, he is no generational quarterback talent and the injuries worsen his case. Pittsburgh's addition of Rodgers and Tomlin's own history of coaching winning teams puts their positioning for a future quarterback in question as it pertains to next year's draft. Anthony Richardson And The SteelersBy Tony Fisher However, sitting and selecting a rookie play caller or moving up the draft board would appear the far better option for the franchise's future than continuing this cycle of deploying quarterbacks with major baggage. Advertisement Related: Three Wideout Possibilities for Steelers' New QB Aaron Rodgers Related: Steelers New QB Aaron Rodgers Sets Date for First Press Conference This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider on Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury
NFL insider on Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury Tom Pelissero recently discussed the shoulder injury that Colts' QB Anthony Richardson is working through. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero provided an update on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is going to miss minicamp this coming week with a shoulder injury. As Shane Steichen described prior to Thursday's final OTA practice, Richardson experienced shoulder pain the week prior. Upon further evaluation, the testing revealed that the pain was related to the same AC joint that Richardson injured during his rookie season. Steichen did not put a timeline on Richardson's return, other than saying they hope to have him back at some point during training camp. But among NFL insiders, the belief seems to be that Richardson will be ready for training camp. On a recent appearance on the 'Rich Eisen Show,' Pelissero provided additional insight regarding Richardson. "They just made the decision, 'hey, we're going to back off him right now,' Pelissero said. "Shane Steichen saying he'll be back sometime in training camp is not really what I want to hear if I'm somebody rooting for Anthony Richardson to beat out Daniel Jones for that job. "Now I was separately told yesterday that he'll 1,000 percent be ready for training camp, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Colts will let him loose. You're going to want to ramp him up after he misses the end of OTAs and minicamp. You're not just going to go out and have him throw 600 balls on the first day of practice. So these are reps that now go to Daniel Jones, and he gets more of an opportunity." Pelissero continued: "I know that the coaches in Indianapolis were really excited at the prospect of bringing in Daniel Jones, even though they've got this remarkable ball of clay in Anthony Richardson. It's a ball of clay that's spent so much time in the training room over the past couple of years that it's cost him those reps that he sorely needed as a young player who had only started 13 college games and really hadn't played a ton." In addition to Pelissero's reporting that Richardson will be ready to go for the start of training camp, which for the Colts begins on July 22nd, it's important to note that there may be an easing back in process for him. So even though he's on the practice field on Day 1, it may not mean he's leading the first team offense and alternating reps with Jones. Steichen alluded to that during Thursday's press conference, saying that the team will "ease him back into throwing" once he returns. Once a full-go, Richardson will have the opportunity to compete with Jones for the starting job, but winning it does become more difficult with the time he's missed during OTAs, minicamp, along with potentially being limited early on in training camp, if that is how things play out. With fewer reps overall, Richardson will have to make up for lost time.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Richardson Injury Puts Daniel Jones Back on Radar
Anthony Richardson Injury Puts Daniel Jones Back on Radar originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Developing a first-round quarterback is a race against time. The Washington Commanders won that race in 2024, with Jayden Daniels blossoming into a star. The Chicago Bears, despite Caleb Williams' flashes, are now playing catch-up, overhauling the coaching staff in an attempt to optimize their top pick. Advertisement There is still time for Williams to justify his draft capital and become a franchise quarterback. But if he isn't the guy after Year 2, some serious questions must be asked. Those same questions are being posed to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. A top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson is among the most physically talented players on the planet. But a shoulder injury cut his rookie year short, and he didn't take a step forward in his second season, infuriating coaches with poor misses underneath and an untenable 47.7 percent completion percentage. Subsequently, the Colts brought in Daniel Jones as insurance. The coaching staff is feeling the heat, and another season lost to Richardson's struggles could end the regime's tenure. Richardson entered the year as the favorite to start, given his talent, draft capital, and the need for Indianapolis to get any sort of return on its biggest investment. However, he recently went down with another shoulder injury, scratching him for minicamp. Advertisement As such, the former New York Giants quarterback could win the Colts' starting job instead of Richardson, especially with the benefit of minicamp and a portion of starting reps throughout the summer. Kevin Clark elaborated on that possibility on ESPN's 'NFL Live.' 'Yeah, you don't give Daniel Jones $14 million unless he's in a competition, all right? That's just the way quarterback salaries work in this league,' Clark said. 'He has thrown, Anthony Richardson, 348 passes in the NFL. In his first two years, that is the second-lowest of any top-10 pick in the last 20 years. … So he needs to play more football.' Jones is getting paid serious money for a backup quarterback. Even if that's where his true talent resides, it's a nod toward the expectation that he'll start multiple games. That's a safe bet because of Richardson's injury history, but it also makes Jones a failsafe if the young quarterback struggles. 'I've never seen anybody more destined to be in the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition than Anthony Richardson because I'm looking at this and I'm seeing a training camp where Daniel Jones will probably start with the ones,' Clark said. 'There's job preservation now going on in Indianapolis with Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard. They're going to want to get that seven, eight, nine wins in order to keep their job.' Advertisement No one is arguing that Jones is more talented than Richardson, and few would muster that the former should start in Week 1. But if Jones can impact the run game while keeping the offense on schedule within structure, he gives the Colts stability Richardson hasn't shown through two seasons. Unless Richardson takes a big step forward, the administration will be forced to choose between itself and its prized possession. Less than a year removed from being cut by the Giants, there's a real chance Jones starts once again in 2025. New York will not play Indianapolis in 2025. Related: Daniel Jones Finds New Home, Generous Contract in Free Agency Related: Giants Schedule Reveals Potential Dart Debuts This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
