The 9-8 Indianapolis Colts finished the regular season third in the AFC South and 10th in the AFC Playoff Picture.
Despite not making the playoffs, Indianapolis should be encouraged about their future with Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback. Richardson missed 13 games in his rookie season and has a promising injury update.
The Indianapolis Colts rookie was limited to four games in his rookie season
Anthony Richardson was limited to four games in his rookie season. He exited Week 2 with a concussion and missed Week 3.
Richardson exited Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He ended up suffering a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder and was placed on injured reserve.
Richardson had two options. The first option was to avoid surgery and be out for four to six weeks. The issue with this approach is that his shoulder would likely bother him for the rest of the season.
The second option was to undergo season-ending surgery. Richardson chose option two and underwent surgery on October 25.
Richardson went 50/84 for 577 passing yards with a 59.5% completion percentage, 6.9 yards per attempt, three passing touchdowns, one interception, and a 2-2 record.
He also had 136 rushing yards on 25 carries and four rushing touchdowns.
Who was his replacement?
Gardner Minshew filled in as the starting quarterback. He went 305/490 for 3,305 passing yards with a 62.2% completion percentage, 6.7 yards per attempt, 15 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 7-6 record.
He also had 100 rushing yards on 34 carries and three rushing touchdowns.
How is Richardson doing in his recovery?
“I think I’m progressing way faster than everyone thought.”
“They said 16 weeks after the surgery, but hopefully I’m trying to push to get (back) before that,” Richardson told reporters. “But we’ll see.”
“Hopefully, I can throw next month, but if not, whenever that time does come, I know I’m gonna rip it.”
Head coach Shane Steichen is confident that Richardson will be stronger than ever:
“Obviously, he got a chance to sit back, watch, and learn,” head coach Shane Steichen said in his Monday press conference. “I had some good meetings with him throughout the season, just individually me and him, sitting down talking football. Really just seeing the NFL season as a whole.”
“Obviously, would’ve loved to have him out there for the season to learn that way but there’s always reasons in life I think, why things happen. I think what happened to him was unfortunate but I think it’s going to make him stronger at the end.”
Anthony Richardson is expected to be cleared before the start of training camp barring any setbacks. Richardson has a bright future with the Indianapolis Colts.
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