Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced today that quarterback Anthony Richardson is dealing with a shoulder injury and won’t take part in next week’s mini-camp. It’s a setback at a critical time for the second-year quarterback, who’s already in the middle of a high-stakes battle for the starting job.
Richardson entered the offseason as the presumed QB1, but the Colts made waves when they signed former Giants starter Daniel Jones. That move alone sent a message that Richardson would have to earn his spot. Statistically, he hasn’t exactly solidified himself as the answer. Richardson holds just a 50.6% completion rate for his career, with 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Then came the NFL Draft, where Indianapolis added Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, a developmental prospect with upside. Now, with Richardson set to miss valuable reps, the door is wide open for both Jones and Leonard to make an impression.
Jones, with his experience and past success, is expected to get the bulk of the first-team reps while Richardson recovers. That extra time on the field could give him a serious leg up in the quarterback competition. Meanwhile, Leonard will benefit from additional reps as well, giving the rookie a chance to speed up his adjustment to the NFL.
For Richardson, the timing couldn’t be worse. He’s already under pressure to improve after an up-and-down rookie season, and now he’ll have to play catch-up once he’s healthy again. Missing even a few days in a quarterback race can have lasting effects.
While the Colts haven’t indicated that the injury is severe, the implications are clear. Jones will have more opportunities to prove he can lead the offense, and Leonard will gain valuable early exposure. As for Richardson, he’ll have to make the most of whatever practice time he gets once he’s back. The Colts’ quarterback situation just got a lot more interesting.