Anthony Richardson says that he’s fine.
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback downplayed the shoulder injury that sidelined him during minicamp and implied he’ll be ready to go for training camp that starts in July.
Richardson spoke about his injury with 24/7 Sports’ Zach Goodall on Monday.
“I’m all good,” Richardson said, per Goodall. … “Not really even a bump in the road. I feel like I tripped, I fell. Just got back up and hit the ground running again.”
Anytime an NFL quarterback reinjures a throwing shoulder that previously sidelined him for most of a season certainly qualifies as more than a bump in the road. But Richardson is expressing confidence in himself ahead of one of the most anticipated quarterback battles in NFL training camps.
(Justin Casterline via Getty Images)
Will Richardson beat out Daniel Jones?
Richardson is no longer promised the starting job in Indianapolis just two years after the Colts made him the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’ll have to compete with established draft bust Daniel Jones, whom the New York Giants bailed on last season, five-plus seasons after spending a first-round pick to select him in 2019.
Entering his third NFL campaign, Richardson is seeking to avoid acquiring his own draft-bust label after two seasons that have been marred by injury and inaccuracy. News of Richardson’s offseason shoulder injury raised the specter that his time as Indianapolis’ starting quarterback was further at risk.
The Colts announced on June 5 that Richardson would not participate in minicamp due to soreness in his previously surgically repaired right shoulder that would require rest. Then news broke that Richardson was seeking a second opinion on his shoulder with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, whose involvement frequently precedes surgery and a long layoff.
But, according to head coach Shane Steichen, ElAttrache concurred with the initial assessment that Richardson did not need surgery. And NFL Network reported during Colts minicamp that Richardson was, indeed, expected to be ready for training camp. Richardson had mostly remained silent on the subject before offering his positive assessment Monday.
So, presuming that Richardson will be recovered in time for camp, the next step will be an actual quarterback competition with Jones. To win it, Richardson will have to convince the Colts coaching staff that he can improve upon the career 50.6% completion percentage that’s handcuffed his tremendous upside as an athlete and a playmaker.
The alternative would mean that Jones is the Colts’ starting quarterback in Week 1. And that’s an outcome few in Indianapolis would relish.
