The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for life without Anthony Richardson at the helm. The rookie quarterback suffered an AC joint injury in last Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports it as a Grade 3 sprain that could lead to Richardson landing on the IR. The six-foot-four dual-threat quarterback was 9-for-12 for 98 yards before his departure in Week 5.
With Anthony Richardson sidelined, sources say the #Colts worked out a group of veteran QBs, including Kellen Mond, Ian Book, Holton Ahlers, and Trace McSorley.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 10, 2023
Richardson has impressed this season, tallying seven touchdowns against one pick to start his career. However, with Richardson potentially heading for a lengthy absence, the Colts will work out multiple quarterbacks to add depth behind Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger. Minshew has been fantastic when called upon this season, but further injuries to the quarterback room would leave the Colts decimated, especially with Anthony Richardson expected to miss multiple weeks. Below are the quarterbacks listed as workout participants for Indy.
Workout Candidates Amid Anthony Richardson Injury Update
Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout Ian Book will work out for the Colts. Book spent the preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles but played sparingly before his release. He was subsequently signed by the New England Patriots but released just five days later. The New Orleans Saints originally drafted Book in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. However, he struggled, throwing for no scores and two picks and losing his lone start with the New Orleans.
Another quarterback working out in front of the Indianapolis brass is former third-round pick Kellen Mond. The 24-year-old spent the preseason with the Cleveland Browns in 2023. The Texas A&M product went 42-for-74 for 390 yards and three scores against two picks. He did little to impress with his legs. Mond has thrown just three passes in an NFL regular season game. However, he threw for 9,661 yards and 71 touchdowns across four seasons in his college career. Like Anthony Richardson, Kellen Mond played in the SEC.
Holton Ahlers will also be among the workout participants. The 2023 undrafted free agent signed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. The six-foot-three gunslinger looked sharp in the preseason, going 16-of-27 for 159 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also added 15 carries for 76 yards on the ground. Ahlers was prolific at East Carolina, throwing for 97 touchdowns during his career with the Pirates. His player profile best mimics Anthony Richardson.
Trace McSorley will join Mond, Book, and Ahlers in the workout. McSorley threw just four passes with the Patriots this preseason before his release. However, he is the most seasoned of the quartet. He is 48-for-83 for 502 yards, one touchdown, and five picks in his NFL career. Most of his action came last season as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. McSorley is also the most impressive college player in the group. The signal caller threw 9,899 yards and 77 touchdowns at Penn State in four seasons. He also added 30 scores on the ground. McSorley should be viewed as the favorite to join the quarterback room in Indy while Anthony Richardson is on the mend.