Colts QB Anthony Richardson ‘doesn’t appear significantly near returning’ from damage

In line with ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Colts Third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson “doesn’t appear significantly near returning,” nonetheless recovering from his fractured orbital bone suffered throughout Week 6’s pregame warmups towards the Arizona Cardinals:

Whereas Richardson has been again in motion at group headquarters on W. 56th Road, it seems as if he’s nonetheless on the mend and received’t be returning anytime quickly to the soccer discipline. After a medical band snapped throughout a freak pre-game stretching accident in Week 6, Richardson was positioned on injured reserve and was truly eligible to return final weekend versus Kansas Metropolis—having met the 4 recreation missed standards.

That being mentioned, it seems as if it’s a query of whether or not he might even realistically return this season in any respect.

The previous 4th general decide of the 2023 NFL Draft misplaced his starter’s job to veteran Daniel Jones following a contested offseason and coaching camp battle, however after being injured once more, he was positioned on I.R.—and rookie sixth spherical decide Riley Leonard has since been elevated to the highest backup quarterback job behind Jones.

It may very well be of specific concern to the Colts, as Jones is reportedly taking part in by way of a fractured fibula because the Colts attempt to fend off the remainder of the AFC South, sitting atop at 8-3, and having misplaced 2 of their final 3 video games with the Houston Texans now coming to city. With the damage, Jones was transferring round a bit gingerly final weekend, so his damage standing is value monitoring through the season’s ultimate stretch run.

Nonetheless, if push have been to return to shove (however by his personal private account, Jones “is nice go to”), it could be the rookie Leonard filling in for Jones proper now—not Richardson, till he’s wholesome once more. That might probably put the Colts’ playoff possibilities on ice, within the ever unlucky case wherein a backup QB is definitely (and meaningfully) wanted.