Richardson minimizes shoulder injury, ready for QB battle in Colts

Anthony Richardson ready to lead the Colts after overcoming shoulder discomfort

WESTFIELD, Ind. – Concerns about Anthony Richardson Sr.’s physical condition during the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason were dispelled in the first training camp practice, as Richardson took the majority of the snaps with the starting team without limitations. Richardson, who spoke to local media for the first time since missing the last two weeks of offseason practices due to right shoulder discomfort, considered the problem minor and suggested the discomfort was slight.

“They told me I had to rest for a few weeks, and I was like, ‘Man, I can play right now'”, Richardson recounted on Wednesday, referring to his reaction to the team’s medical staff’s decision to stop his preseason work last month. “I just had to listen to the team, take their advice from the medical team, take my coach’s advice, and just get ready for next season”.

Anthony Richardson

The prescribed rest had the desired effect, and Richardson began the next step in the competition for the quarterback position with veteran Daniel Jones, who signed a one-year, $14 million contract in March. “When we started throwing, it was like getting back to normal,” Richardson said. “It wasn’t anything major, nothing different. Just rest my arm.” Coach Shane Steichen met with both quarterbacks on Tuesday to establish a plan for the coming weeks. Steichen stated that there is no deadline to decide who will be the starter and emphasized again what he believes will be the deciding factor.

“The consistency of the operation,” he said. “Simply moving the ball up and down the field. There is no deadline for this. Let those guys compete, let the process unfold, and from there we will see.”

Shane Steichen

Both players will have plays with the starting offense each practice day, according to Steichen. On Wednesday, Richardson had more plays with the first team than Jones, but Steichen said the extra first-team plays will go to Jones on Thursday. The plan is to alternate that way going forward. Richardson will take fewer plays in individual practice periods, as he begins camp with a sort of pitch count, Steichen said, allowing him to save more throws for the full team periods. It wasn’t exactly a masterpiece for any of the players on the first day, with Richardson completing 4 of 11 passes in the full team work on a day in which he was affected by numerous dropped passes. Jones completed 6 of 8, but was intercepted by cornerback Kenny Moore II on what Jones described as a late throw to receiver Josh Downs on the perimeter.

“I think like any first day,” Jones said, “you’re starting. Something good, something bad.”

Daniel Jones

It remains to be seen how the Colts will manage the workload in their three preseason games. Interestingly, Richardson received a loud welcome from the crowd each time he went under center. This comes after owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and general manager Chris Ballard, in separate interviews, urged patience with the fourth overall pick of 2023, who has struggled with health and consistency for two seasons. The team has invested capital and time in the young quarterback, and the fans seemed emotionally involved. Now is the time to see if Richardson can reward them with a return on that investment. “I know this city loves me and supports me,” Richardson said. “I just have to do my part, make sure I can do everything in my power to be the quarterback they want me to be and that they need me to be.”