It sounds like the Anthony Richardson-Daniel Jones quarterback competition will go forward as planned.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Richardson is expected to be healthy and ready for the start of Indianapolis Colts training camp after suffering a second injury to his throwing shoulder during offseason drills.
Advertisement
“He is expected to be fine by training camp,” Rapoport said.
No official timeline for Richardson after 2nd opinion
The Colts announced on June 5 Richardson would not participate in mandatory minicamp that started Tuesday after he reported soreness in his right shoulder. The injury was to the same shoulder that required AC joint surgery during Richardson’s rookie year. The initial injury sidelined Richardson for the final 12 games of the 2023 season.
Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Tuesday that Richardson flew to Los Angeles to meet with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion. ElAttrache performed Richardson’s 2023 surgery.
Advertisement
Per Steichen, ElAttrache agreed with the initial prognosis that Richardson did not require another procedure. He recommended rest and rehabilitation for the injury. Steichen told reporters at the time Richardson still did not have a timeline to return.
Richardson did some work at minicamp
Richardson wasn’t completely sidelined for Colts minicamp, which ended Thursday. He was seen doing footwork drills and shadowing the offense without throwing the football.
Who will play QB for the Colts?
If Richardson is ready for the start of training camp, the 2023 No. 4 overall draft pick is expected to engage in a true quarterback competition with Jones, the former Giants quarterback who signed with the Colts this offseason.
Advertisement
Richardson struggled last season in his return from his shoulder injury. He made 11 starts and was eventually benched in favor of veteran backup Joe Flacco before returning to the lineup late in the season.
The accuracy issue that plagued him in his brief rookie stint worsened as he completed 47.7% of his passes for 5.4 yards per attempt with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Colts signed Jones in the offseason to compete with Richardson. Like Richardson, Jones has struggled in the NFL, primarily with turnovers, after being selected in the first round.
Jones threw 47 interceptions and fumbled 50 times in his 70 games with the Giants in six seasons. The Giants signed him to an extension to his rookie contract in 2023 after he showed signs of improvement. But they benched him and ultimately cut him in 2024 after he regressed. He signed with the Vikings late in the season, but didn’t play a snap.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in February he wanted “real competition” for Richardson. The Colts then signed Jones in March to a one-year, $14 million contract. If Richardson does return healthy, he’ll engage with Jones in one of the most intriguing position battles in the NFL.
Read the full article here
