Colts Injury Update: QB Anthony Richardson Out for Season

Posted on: October 17, 2023, 09:39h. 

Last updated on: October 17, 2023, 11:00h.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is “probably” out for the remainder of the regular season with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew will replace Richardson in the starting lineup.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Irsay hinted that Richardson will undergo surgery soon.

There’s debate going, but it’s probably going to lead toward surgery in the next week or so,” said Irsay. “We’re just trying to figure out exactly how and when and what we want to do and what Anthony wants to do.”

Richardson sustained an injury in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. He sprained the AC joint on his right shoulder, which is also his throwing arm.

Richardson Unlucky in the Injury Department

The Colts selected Richardson from the Florida Gators with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Although Richarson played only one full season as a starter in Gainesville, scouts believed he was the most athletic quarterback out of the top three prospects in a draft class that included Bryce Young (#1 pick to the Carolina Panthers) and C.J. Stroud (#2 pick to the Houston Texans).

Since the season began, Young has battled injuries and struggled for the winless Panthers. Stroud is thriving with the Texans and is one of the early betting favorites to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Richardson started four games for the Colts but only finished one of them. He exited three games this season with three different injuries, and Minshew came off the bench and replaced him three times.

Richardson returned to action in Week 4 to face the Los Angeles Rams, and played the entire game without any incidents. The Colts lost an overtime thriller to the Rams, and Richardson arguably played his best game of the season.

In Week 5, Richardson suffered an injury in the second quarter against the Titans and didn’t even last a full half before he headed to the locker room to undergo X-rays.

Minshew Mania Time

Minshew spent the last two seasons as a backup quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. Shane Steichen was the offensive coordinator with the Eagles during the same two seasons. When the Colts hired Steichen as their new head coach, Minshew followed Steichen to Indianapolis and signed with the Colts.

Minshew expected to compete for the starting quarterback job but Richardson looked good in the preseason, so Steichen named the rookie as the Week 1 starter.

As injuries to Richardson began to pile up, Minshew saw more playing time. The veteran backup appeared in every game except in Week 4 against the Rams.

Minshew is 1-1 as a starter with the Colts this season. He started in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, and again in Week 6 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Minshew has an overall starting record of 9-17 in 26 career starts with the Colts, Jaguars, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Minshew completed 33-of-55 passes for 329 yards in a loss against the Jaguars on Sunday. The Colts fell behind early and had to play catch-up all game, which is why Minshew attempted 55 passes. He threw one touchdown but was picked off three times.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman emerged as Minshew’s favorite target. In Minshew’s two starts, Pittman has 25 targets and 18 receptions. Pittman tallied a season-high 109 yards on 14 targets against the Jaguars.

Sam Ehlinger began the season as the third-string quarterback, but was promoted to backup status after Steichen tapped Minshew to start last week.

AFC South on the Futures Market

The Jacksonville Jaguars hold first place in the AFC South with a 4-2 record. The Colts and Houston Texans are tied for second place at 2-2. The Tennessee Titans are in last place with a 2-4 record after they lost two games in a row.

Before the season began, oddsmakers installed the Colts with a win total of 6.5 over/under. After six weeks of this season, oddsmakers adjusted their number, and the Colts have a new win total of 7.5 o/u.

The Colts are +265 odds to make the playoffs and -350 odds to miss the postseason.

The Colts are at the bottom of DraftKings’ NFL futures board at +15000 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII.

The Colts are a +2 home underdog against the Cleveland Browns (3-2) in Week 7. The Browns might start a backup, P.J. Walker, for a second week in a row because Deshaun Watson is also nursing a shoulder injury. The Colts are 3-3 against the point spread (ATS) this season. The Browns have a 3-2 ATS record.