INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, within the midst of a quarterback battle with veteran Daniel Jones, has aggravated the precise shoulder joint he injured in 2023 and shall be sidelined for an undetermined size of time, coach Shane Steichen mentioned Thursday.
Steichen mentioned Richardson missed all three offseason practices this week and shall be held out of subsequent week’s three-day obligatory minicamp. Steichen was non-committal when requested whether or not Richardson can 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, docs decided he suffered an aggravation of his AC joint, which Richardson sprained 5 weeks into his rookie season.
That earlier harm 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 due to accidents in two seasons, 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 general choose in 2023, Richardson arrived with hopes of turning into the franchise quarterback in Indianapolis. However his harm travails have dealt a blow to these hopes.
Previous to this harm, Steichen mentioned, Richardson “was in a very great spot. He was throwing it good. Conferences have been good. He was making actually good progress.”
This harm, contemplating its timing, is amongst Richardson’s greatest blows. The Colts, dissatisfied with Richardson’s progress in 12 months 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 selection who flamed out in New York accepted the Colts’ supply with the mindset that he would have an opportunity to resurrect his profession. Richardson’s harm provides him a gap to just do that.
“Daniel will get loads 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 observe document of accidents with Richardson got here into play, too.
“We will not beat our head towards the wall,” normal supervisor Chris Ballard mentioned in January. “We have got 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 harm that sidelined him for 2 video games and again spasms/soreness that saved 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 line with Steichen.
