Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered an orbital fracture in a pregame warmup accident, resulting in him being placed on injured reserve on Monday, October 13. The injury happened during routine band exercises in the locker room before the Week 6 game against Arizona.
How Did Anthony Richardson Get Injured?
NFL insider Adam Schefter announced on Monday that the injury occurred when an elastic stretch band attached to a pole snapped back and struck his face during pregame preparations at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Schefter tweeted, “Colts placed QB Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve due to his fractured orbital bone. He will miss a minimum of four games.”
Colts placed QB Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve due to his fractured orbital bone. He will miss a minimum of four games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2025
The accident left Richardson with severe swelling around his eye that temporarily affected his vision. Medical staff confirmed no damage to the eyeball itself, but the swelling was significant enough to rule him out immediately. He was transported to a local hospital during the Colts’ 31-27 victory.
Colts quarterbacks routinely use elastic bands for stretching exercises before practices and games. On the field, they typically attach these bands to goal posts. This time, Richardson performed the routine in the locker room where the equipment failed.
Because he was placed on the injured reserve, Richardson must miss at least four games. ESPN’s Stephen Holder revealed Richardson “will be sidelined for a while” but provided no specific recovery timeline.
Medical resources indicate orbital fracture swelling typically subsides within seven to 10 days, though full recovery can take longer and may require surgery.
What Has Been Anthony Richardson’s Role This Season?
The injury extends a troubling pattern for Richardson, who has missed 17 games during his first two NFL seasons and has never played more than four consecutive games since entering the league. That durability concern contributed to his demotion before the 2025 season.
Richardson entered the year as the backup after losing the starting job to Daniel Jones, who signed with Indianapolis in March. The Colts named Jones the starter on August 19, with quarterbacks coach Cam Turner citing consistency concerns as the primary reason.
Richardson’s limited action reflected his diminished role. He appeared in just two games before the injury, both during limited time in blowout wins. He completed one of two passes for nine yards and rushed four times for minus one yard.
The contrast with Jones couldn’t be sharper. Jones has led the Colts to a 5-1 record while averaging a league-leading 32.3 points per game. According to PFSN rankings, Jones earned a 96.8 QB Impact Score with an A grade, ranking first in the league. The Colts’ offense scored a 95.6 Offense Impact Score, grading an A and also ranking first.
Rookie sixth-round pick Riley Leonard from Notre Dame has replaced Richardson as Jones’s backup. The timing of Richardson’s injury eliminates any possibility of a trade before the November 4 deadline.
