Anthony Richardson‘s NFL career hit another speed bump during the Indianapolis Colts‘ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
A dislocated pinky injury might seem minor, but it sparked fresh questions about the quarterback’s durability heading into his third season.
The No. 4 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft has yet to prove he can be a reliable starter.
His struggles have drawn criticism from analysts who wonder if he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
FOX Sports host Jason McIntyre recently offered a blunt assessment of Richardson’s prospects.
“If you do not think Anthony Richardson has the chops to be an NFL quarterback. He didn’t start enough games in college. He can’t make the reads at the line of scrimmage. I mean, he took himself out of a game last year. Then you think Anthony Richardson is done. Hey man, Anthony, you better get your Canadian passport because you’re gonna be playing in the CFL pretty soon. That’s the negative side of Anthony Richardson,” McIntyre said on “The Herd.”
"You better get your Canadian passport because you're gonna be playing in the CFL pretty soon. That's the negative side of Anthony Richardson."@jasonrmcintyre is not impressed with what he sees from the Colts QB pic.twitter.com/W2QwAcaV6z
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 8, 2025
McIntyre also questioned the coaching decisions that led to Richardson’s latest injury. He criticized the choice to play the quarterback behind backup offensive linemen in a preseason game.
This exposed Richardson to unnecessary risk compared to other teams that protect their starter with better personnel.
The analyst mentioned Richardson’s early departure from college as another misstep. An NFL agent reportedly advised him to stay another year and develop further.
This could have positioned him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, but Richardson chose the appeal of a quicker first-round contract instead.
Three seasons later, that decision looks questionable.
Richardson’s elite physical tools remain obvious, as his arm strength and mobility flash potential that few quarterbacks possess.
Head coach Shane Steichen brings hope to the equation. A track record of developing Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles suggests he might unlock Richardson’s abilities.
But the window for Richardson to prove himself as a franchise quarterback continues to close with each setback.
NEXT: Anthony Richardson Makes His Thoughts Clear About Colts' QB Competition