The Indianapolis Colts have decided to place rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on Injured Reserve on Wednesday morning. This decision means Richardson will be out for at least the next four games and the earliest he will be able to return to the field is their Germany game against the New England Patriots in Week 10.
Colts place QB Anthony Richardson on IR, will be out for next four games. pic.twitter.com/SeGnFimqP6
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2023
Richardson has been playing well as a rookie and this is obviously a major blow to a Colts offense about to have running back Jonathan Taylor back in the fold. So far this season, Anthony Richardson is 50-of-84 (59.5 completion percentage) for 577 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception. He also has run the football 25 times for 136 yards (5.4 yards per attempt) with four rushing touchdowns.
The injury was ruled a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. It happened in the victory over the Tennessee Titans where outside linebacker Harold Landry III tackled him on a run play and Richardson landed on his shoulder and was unable to remain in the game. However, Adam Schefter is reporting the injury could keep him on the shelf anywhere from four to eight weeks depending on rehab and if surgery is needed.
The Colts are going to have Gardner Minshew II get the starting spot in Anthony Richardson’s absence and also signed veteran quarterback Kellen Mond to their practice squad. This is a decently tough stretch that the Colts are going to have to navigate as they are on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, home against the Cleveland Browns, home against the New Orleans Saints and on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
How will the Indianapolis Colts look without Anthony Richardson?
Anthony Richardson has played well in his first handful of games as a rookie under center and has been dealing with injuries in multiple games. However, if he is out for upwards of eight weeks, that will be a massive blow.
Even with the absence of Jonathan Taylor, this Colts offense ranks 11th in the sport with 24.0 points and 15th in passing yards as they average 212.4 yards per game through the air. While Gardner Minshew II does not possess the same upside as the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Minshew is 2-2 in the last three seasons as a starting quarterback and will keep the team in games.
With Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. dominating, this offense should continue to put points on the board and stay competitive in games until Richardson returns to the field later in the season.