Anthony Richardson took a designed run to the right side late in the second quarter when he took a shot. He immediately stayed on the ground and grabbed at the area around his right shoulder. What do we know about the extent of the injury, and what does this mean for the Indianapolis Colts?
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Anthony Richardson Injured on Run
Richardson has been explosive through the air and on the ground so far in his rookie season. However, a potential injury against the Tennessee Titans would be the second time he’s had to miss a period of time due to injury. During a touchdown run in the first quarter of Week 2, he suffered a concussion.
Richardson was walked to the locker room by trainers, and his right arm was completely immobilized.
#Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson was injured on this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2023
Update (2:17 p.m. ET): Despite how ugly the injury looked initially, Richardson has been listed as questionable to return with a shoulder injury, according to the broadcast.
Update (2:47 p.m. ET): Richardson has officially been ruled out for the rest of the game against Tennessee.
Update (2:53 p.m. ET): NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that an X-ray on the quarterback’s shoulder came back negative, which is a positive long-term sign.
Update (4:56 p.m. ET): NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the initial diagnosis of an AC joint sprain, and that Richardson will undergo an MRI to assess the situation better.
Update (6:30 a.m. ET Monday): NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the AC joint sprain is a grade 3 sprain, which means we can expect Richardson to miss around a month of action. The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that the Colts are preparing to be without their rookie QB for 4-6 weeks.
Richardson must learn to take fewer hits, but this particular tackle wasn’t relatively unavoidable. In the end, his athleticism and size are an unfair advantage for him, and especially while he’s learning to become a more consistent passer, Richardson and Shane Steichen must be able to lean on that athleticism.
The offense as a whole will be far less explosive without Richardson’s downfield passing ability. However, Gardner Minshew has been with Steichen for three years now and has significant experience in this offense and as an NFL starter.
Potential Fantasy Impact
Prior to his injury, Richardson went 9 of 12 for 98 yards through the air, with an additional five yards on two carries against the Titans. An injury to Richardson changes the entire outlook of the Colts’ offense.
Jonathan Taylor immediately sees his touchdown ceiling rise on a weekly basis without a dynamic dual-threat quarterback vulturing away rushing scores on a regular basis. While Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs likely benefit the most when Minshew is the man under center for Indianapolis.