The Indianapolis Colts face an early test of their quarterback depth as Anthony Richardson deals with an injury concern before the 2025 season begins.
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Richardson will miss mandatory minicamp due to ongoing discomfort in his throwing shoulder.
The issue traces back to Richardson’s AC joint sprain that ended his rookie campaign after he was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler recently provided additional context about the current situation.
“They looked at the scans and I’m told structurally, this is OK. It’s just an inflammation and [a] rest soreness type issue. He fully expects to be ready to go for training camp, but it is an issue, make no mistake,” Fowler said.
Reporting on Aaron Rodgers and Anthony Richardson on @SportsCenter with @MattBarrie pic.twitter.com/72jzn2RQTQ
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 6, 2025
Richardson’s NFL journey has been marked by persistent health challenges since entering the league.
He has appeared in just 15 of 34 possible games in his first two seasons.
His rookie year was derailed by the injury that cost him 13 games. The 2024 campaign brought fresh obstacles when an oblique problem sidelined him for Weeks 5 and 6.
After returning in Week 7, Richardson found himself benched after Week 8 in favor of Joe Flacco due to struggles with consistency and decision-making.
Richardson reclaimed the starting role in Week 11 but finished the season on the sidelines with a lower-back issue that kept him out of the final two games.
Now, the presence of Daniel Jones adds another layer to Indianapolis’ quarterback discussions heading into the season.
With Richardson’s health uncertain, and Jones seeking a starting opportunity, the Colts may not know who will start their Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins for quite some time.
