Anthony Richardson was off to an incredibly hot start in his second career NFL game, but he’s since been taken to the locker room. What’s going on with the Indianapolis Colts‘ rookie quarterback, and what’s his current injury status?
Anthony Richardson Injury Update
Richardson appeared to hit the back of his head hard after scoring his second rushing touchdown of the day. He was taken to the Colts’ locker room near the beginning of the second quarter.
UPDATED (2:15 p.m.): After going through an head injury evaluation, Richardson has been ruled OUT with a concussion.
Anthony Richardson is OUT for the game. He is in the concussion protocol.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) September 17, 2023
Gardner Minshew has taken over under center for the Colts.
Richardson had completed six of 10 attempts for 56 yards before departing Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
But the No. 4 overall pick had been even more impressive on the ground, where he’d taken three carries for 35 yards and two scores. The second of those rushing TDs appeared to lead to Richardson’s potential concussion.
Anthony Richardson has two rushing TDs less than six minutes into the game!
📺: #INDvsHOU on FOX⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/QfJYDVcoD2
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Richardson not only won’t return to today’s game. He’ll also have to clear the NFL’s concussion protocols ahead of the Colts’ Week 3 contest against the Baltimore Ravens.
Fantasy Fallout From Richardson’s Injury
Richardson was sent to get checked out for a concussion after his head slammed against the turf following the end of his second rushing score of the game.
Minshew is a capable backup, but he’s obviously a significant downgrade based on what we’ve seen from Richardson in his young career.
It’s a small hit to Michael Pittman Jr.’s fantasy value but perhaps a slight boost to Zack Moss, given that Minshew is nowhere near as mobile as AR.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Jason Katz