Quarterback Anthony Richardson was expected to be the future face of the franchise for the Indianapolis Colts when they selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, his career has gotten off to a rocky start, and the team signed free agent quarterback Daniel Jones in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings to compete for the starting quarterback job.
Entering a massive make-or-break year for his career, Richardson suffered a significant blow early in OTAs.
Anthony Richardson To Be Sidelined With Shoulder Injury
“Anthony Richardson has an injury in his throwing shoulder,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen told Jake Arthur, deputy editor for the Indianapolis Colts on SI. “He will not need a procedure right now.”
Per #Colts HC Shane Steichen, QB Anthony Richardson has an injury in his throwing shoulder in his previously injured AC joint. They’ll sit him out the rest of this and next week.
He will not need a procedure right now.
— Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) June 5, 2025
The injury is a massive blow for Richardson, who was set to share reps with Jones in practice. Jones will now get an extended look with the first-team offense as Richardson recovers.
“No timeline for Richardson but they hope to have him back for training camp,” Arthur added.
Richardson has struggled to stay on the field in the first two years of his NFL career, as he has battled injuries, including a concussion, AC joint sprain, and oblique injury.
However, injuries have not been the only thing keeping him off the field. Richardson’s play has been inconsistent, at best, and he was benched at one point during his last year in favor of veteran Joe Flacco.
Through two seasons, Richardson has completed only 50.6% of his passes for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He has also added 111 carries for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground as a rusher, but he has fumbled 12 times. In two years in the NFL, Richardson has started only 15 games, and the Colts have an 8-7 record with him under center.
Richardson ranked No. 37 in PFSN’s QB+ metric, with a score of 59.5 (F) in 2024. He completed only 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for the season.
“The Colts are in a pickle at the end of Richardson’s second NFL season,” said Ben Rolfe, deputy editor of fantasy and sports betting at PFSN. “Although he’s still a rookie in terms of games played (15), Indianapolis will face a decision on Richardson’s fifth-year option next offseason.”
“At this point, it seems extremely unlikely they pick it up, with Richardson grading out above just two other qualified quarterbacks this season,” Rolfe added. “He missed Week 17 and 18 due to another injury and has played in less than 50% of games in the last two years. The Colts have one more season to evaluate Richardson, but his poor play, combined with health concerns, doesn’t paint a positive picture.”
What Does Richardson’s Injury Mean for Daniel Jones?
While the news isn’t ideal for Richardson, Jones is presented with a massive opportunity.
Like Richardson, Jones was selected high in the NFL Draft and expected to be the future face of the franchise for his team. The New York Giants selected Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Duke.
While his career year in 2022 was enough for the Giants to give Jones a contract extension, his Giants tenure was not what the team hoped it would be. Under Jones, the Giants went 24-44-1 in six seasons while making the postseason only once.
Jones went 2-8 in 10 games before being released by the Giants in 2024, completing 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He ranked No. 32 in PFSN’s QB+ metric with a score of 64.1 (D) in 2024.
The Colts provide Jones with a change of scenery. He will look to improve upon his disappointing start to his career and win the starting quarterback job. He has more experience than Richardson, and while he may not possess the same upside, he is a much more accurate passer. Richardson’s injury could have opened a path for him to win the starting job.
Jones and Richardson are at a crossroads in their NFL careers, and 2025 could be their final opportunity to prove they can be starters in the NFL. Each provides Indianapolis with mobility and relative youth at the position.
The battle for the Colts quarterback job figures to remain one of the top storylines as the season approaches. While the competition’s winner remains to be seen, Richardson’s injury gives Jones an early leg up.