Colts QB Anthony Richardson sidelined with shoulder damage

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, within the midst of a quarterback battle with veteran Daniel Jones, has aggravated the correct shoulder joint he injured in 2023 and might be sidelined for an undetermined size of time, coach Shane Steichen mentioned Thursday.

Steichen mentioned Richardson missed all three offseason practices this week and might be held out of subsequent week’s three-day necessary minicamp. Steichen was noncommittal when requested whether or not Richardson could be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp, which begins on July 22.

The information comes on the heels of Richardson approaching trainers after a follow final week and reporting soreness within the shoulder, Steichen mentioned. After examination, medical doctors decided he suffered an aggravation of his AC joint, which Richardson sprained 5 weeks into his rookie season.

That earlier damage required season-ending surgical procedure. This one will not, Steichen mentioned, however Richardson wants relaxation.

“Not going to place a timetable for coaching camp on it, however when he does come again, we’ll ease him into throwing after which we’ll go from there,” Steichen mentioned.

Requested whether or not this type of soreness is regular for gamers who beforehand sustained AC joint accidents, Steichen mentioned he was undecided.

The information is a significant setback for Richardson amid the quarterback battle with Jones. Richardson has already missed 17 whole video games in two seasons due to accidents, together with 12 video games missed due to the earlier shoulder sprain. The Colts additionally benched Richardson for 2 video games final season, briefly choosing veteran Joe Flacco.

The No. 4 choose in 2023, Richardson arrived with hopes of turning into the franchise quarterback in Indianapolis. However his damage travails have dealt a blow to these hopes.

Previous to this damage, Steichen mentioned, Richardson “was in a very great place. He was throwing it good. Conferences have been good. He was making actually good progress.”

This damage, contemplating its timing, is amongst Richardson’s greatest blows. The Colts, dissatisfied with Richardson’s progress in Yr 2 final season, got down to add “competitors” to their quarterback unit and did so to the tune of a $14 million one-year contract for Jones.

The previous Giants first-round alternative who flamed out in New York accepted the Colts’ provide with the mindset that he would have an opportunity to resurrect his profession. Richardson’s damage provides him a gap to do exactly that.

“Daniel will get a whole lot of reps after which we’ll see the way it performs out,” Steichen mentioned.

Richardson’s struggles on the sector weren’t the one issue that prompted them to deal with the quarterback place. In the end, the monitor file of accidents with Richardson got here into play, too.

“We won’t beat our head in opposition to the wall,” basic supervisor Chris Ballard mentioned in January. “We have to have competitors on the place only for the truth that competitors makes all people higher, after which two, he is not confirmed he can play 17 video games.” That assertion appears prescient now with Richardson sidelined once more. After injuring his shoulder in 2023, Richardson final season confronted an indirect/hip damage that sidelined him for 2 video games and again spasms/soreness that stored him out for the ultimate two video games.

In Richardson’s absence, sixth-round choose Riley Leonard will occupy the No. 2 spot. The Colts is not going to make a quarterback roster transfer for now, in response to Steichen.