Anthony Richardson began the season as the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was having a good start to his NFL career, but unfortunately, he was injured in Week 5 and had season-ending shoulder surgery.
The fourth overall pick in this year’s draft was 2-2 as a starter, but the Colts are 1-4 in games when Richardson doesn’t start. Let’s take a look at how he played and when he’s expected to be back on the field.
Anthony Richardson’s First 4 Games
Richardson started every game he played for the Colts this season before getting injured. He completed 50 of 84 passes for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Richardson was also impactful to Indianapolis’ running game when Jonathan Taylor was still out — reaching the end zone four times in four games.
Richardson’s first two starts were promising, but both of them ended due to injuries. In the season opener, he passed for a touchdown and rushed for another but injured his knee in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. A week later, against the Houston Texans, he scored two touchdowns before leaving in the first half with a concussion.
The concussion forced Richardson to miss Week 3, but he returned to play against the Los Angeles Rams the following week. The Colts got down 23-0 in the third quarter, and Richardson led the team’s comeback to force overtime. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the second half. The Rams won the game in overtime, but Richardson’s performance got the team and fans excited about the future.
MORE: Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
The next week, Taylor made his season debut against the Tennessee Titans. The Colts appeared to have their dynamic offensive duo in place until Richardson injured his throwing shoulder on a rushing attempt in the first half. Ten days after the game, Colts owner Jim Irasy announced Richardson’s season was over.
After consultation with our medical staff, Anthony, and those close to him, it has been determined that he will undergo surgery to repair his injured shoulder, which will end his season. Anthony is a competitor, and we know how difficult and disappointing this is for him and our…
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 18, 2023
When Will Richardson Be Back?
Richardson had surgery on Oct. 24 to repair the injury he sustained to the AC joint in his right shoulder. Irsay said the surgery was successful and there were “no new surprises” found during the procedure.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said the rookie can still improve even though he won’t play again this season.
“The biggest thing is getting the rehab, getting his shoulder right, and then staying focused throughout the season in these meetings, still being dialed in at practice, all those things.”
Steichen said there’s a “good chance” Richardson will be ready for the team’s 2024 spring offseason program.
A couple of days after surgery, Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, provided this update.
Great 1st day of #PhysicalTherapy for QB1 on the road back to greatness! Appreciate Dr ElAttrache who has been great and by Ant’s side every step of the way👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/tXaouRUONr
— deiric jackson (@djackson_legacy) October 26, 2023
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