The Indianapolis Colts have had one of the most unexpected seasons of any team in the league in 2025. After watching Anthony Richardson Sr. struggle during 2024, the team brought in Daniel Jones to compete for the starting job.
However, now both quarterbacks are out with injuries, and the team has brought 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement to fill in. Fans have been anxiously awaiting news on their former first-round pick, and now there is an update on when Richardson may return.
What Is the Latest About the Return of Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr.?
Jones got the Colts off to a remarkable 7-1 start that had fans swooning with excitement. However, they began to lose close game after close game, and then news broke that Jones had been playing with a broken fibula.
Unfortunately, in Week 14, Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in the first quarter. Since Jones was only in Indy on a one-year “prove it” contract, many fans have pivoted their attention back to Richardson, hoping he will be ready to return and will prove that he is the quarterback of their future.
In the meantime, the Colts brought back Rivers, but his first performance was less than stellar. While it might be fair to say Rivers is a bit rusty, the last time he played was during COVID, the 16-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks still stung.
Richardson, who has not started in 2025, suffered a fracture of his orbital bone during a freak pregame accident. While his performances have been inconsistent at best, fans are hopeful that, as Jones did, Richardson will now be ready to lead.
That time may now be drawing near, as CBS Sports posted on X that Richardson is well on the way.
“Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been cleared medically coming off his orbital fracture from Oct. 12 and the hope is to have him back practicing in the near future, sources tell,” wrote CBS Sports on X.
#Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been cleared medically coming off his orbital fracture from Oct. 12 and the hope is to have him back practicing in the near future, sources tell @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/2j7gTwS8UH
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 15, 2025
Richardson put on a dynamic performance as the quarterback of Florida during the one season he started in 2022. The performances from him led his draft stock to soar, and the Colts selected him fourth overall.
Unfortunately, his time in the league has been plagued by injuries and inconsistencies. Named the starter in his rookie year, his season was cut short after a series of injuries, including a concussion and a shoulder sprain that required surgery to repair.
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His 2024 season also saw multiple injuries that led to Richardson playing sporadically. He was benched in favor of Joe Flacco but back under center just two games later. In 2025, Richardson lost the starting job to Jones during camp.
With Jones’ return to Indy up in the air for 2026, Colts fans are once again left worrying about their quarterback situation in the offseason.
