For the third time in four starts Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was unable to finish the game that he began.
The first instance was a week one contest against the visiting Jaguars where he missed the last few plays of the game due to knee and ankle soreness. He missed no further time and was a full participant in practice leading into a week two matchup with the Texans. Richardson's second rushing touchdown in the first quarter led to his second injury of the season, this time more serious: a concussion that forced him to miss a week three matchup against the Ravens.
Richardson’s most recent injury will force him to miss more than just one game, or even four for that matter. Richardson was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder and the injury has placed him on the team’s injured reserve.
According to the NFL’s injured reserve rules, Richardson will be forced to miss at least four weeks and does not account for an active roster spot. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the injury will lead to between four and eight weeks of time missed depending on the rehab stage and whether the injury merits surgery.
With the extended loss of Richardson the Colts will look to Gardner Minshew to take the QB1 reins, a position he has succeeded in so far this season.
In Minshew’s lone start of the season he completed 27 of his 44 attempts for 227 yards and a 17-yard over-the-shoulder beauty for a score to Zack Moss. His performance led to a 22-19 victory over the now-AFC North division-leading Ravens.
After Minshew’s 11 completions for 155 yards in relief Sunday, head coach Shane Steichen told reporters, “he's really good, he's accurate, he knows where to go with the football at the right time and the right place, and he's been awesome for us.” It is clear that the Colts coaching staff and front office have faith in Minshew. That same sentiment is shared by his fellow players.
“From the day he got here, he prepared like a professional in every sense of the word,” starting center Ryan Kelly said. “When his number is called, he is ready to go, and that says a lot about him.”
Minshew won’t be alone in this unknown stage of not having Richardson. Running back Jonathan Taylor played in his first game on Sunday since signing his three-year, $42 million contract. Taylor was limited in his snaps, partially due to it being his first game returning from a strenuous ankle injury, and partially because of the dominance of Moss.
Moss carried the ball 23 times accumulating 165 yards with an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Moss’ first score was from 56 yards out, giving the Colts a 7-3 lead over the visiting Titans. The difference between having Richardson on the field as opposed to Minshew are these plays. On the score, Titans’ all-pro safety Kevin Byard fell into Richardson’s trap on the option and allowed Moss to have the middle of the field to score.
Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter were forced to adjust the playbook in week three to feed into Minshew’s talents, but now must do that heading into a minimum of four weeks with Minshew as the starter.
The most realistic return for Richardson could be week 12 in Lucas Oil Stadium when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Indy. This would allow him to have six weeks to recover which would have him miss five games and get a bonus week with the week 11 bye.
- @ (3-2) Jaguars (20)
- Home: (2-2) Browns (1)
- Home: (3-2) Saints (4)
- @ (0-5) Panthers (13)
- Home: (1-4) Patriots (8)
Steichen, Cooter and Minshew have a tough few weeks ahead of them, but being accompanied by a defense that has already won the team games so far, this will be the make-or-break stretch of the Colts’ season.
