Anthony Richardson Sr. got the first start for the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason. It didn’t last long.
On Richardson’s first dropback of the Colts’ second series, he never saw Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo blitzing him from his right. Ojabo blasted Richardson for the sack. Richardson got up slow, and went to the sideline with what was later announced as a dislocated pinkie finger on his throwing hand.
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After the game Colts head coach Shane Steichen told the media Richardson was “day to day” and that his dislocated pinkie finger was popped back into place, via Mike Garafolo of NFL Media. That indicates Richardson avoided a major injury that would keep him out a while. Richardson himself said he wasn’t concerned, and also took responsibility for taking the sack.
Daniel Jones was in for the start of the third series, with Richardson on the sideline wearing an earpiece to listen to plays. Richardson was supposed to play the entire first quarter and into the second, but the sack and injury changed those plans.
For Richardson and the Colts, who have so much riding on whether he can prove himself worthy of being the team’s Week 1 starter, it was another bad break. And a reminder that Richardson had trouble staying healthy in his first two NFL seasons. There were even questions over whether he’d be healthy enough for the preseason due to a shoulder injury. He was healthy for the start of training camp and got the first start of the preseason as the Colts kicked off their quarterback competition. Jones was scheduled to get the second start of the preseason, Steichen said. No decisions had been made on which quarterback will start the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
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All offseason the Colts planned on having a true competition. That’s partially to push Richardson after a highly disappointing second season, but also to get an evaluation of who gives the team a better chance to win. Steichen entered this season on the hot seat after not making the playoffs his first two seasons. He has to show progress this season, and needs to know if Richardson is the path to that.
The early injury to Richardson might complicate that if he has to miss any more time. He already missed a bit in the first preseason game after he had to depart with the finger injury.
Jones, though, didn’t run away with the job. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards and didn’t lead the team to a touchdown on an up-and-down night.
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Richardson’s first series wasn’t anything special. He completed his first pass under pressure to Adonai Mitchell, though Mitchell had to come back for it and make a diving grab. A completion on a quick screen to rookie tight end Tyler Warren came back due to a penalty for an offensive lineman being an ineligible man downfield, then Richardson hit an easy short throw to Warren over the middle. Needing a completion to keep the drive going, Richardson threw a little late and behind his receiver downfield and it was broken up. Indianapolis settled for a field goal.
Richardson’s second series started with a handoff on first down, then the huge hit from Ojabo on second down. Ojabo was completely unblocked, but Richardson showed no awareness that he was coming from his right. The hit was a massive one.
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Richardson has had some bad injury luck through two seasons, whether it was his right shoulder or concussions as a rookie or oblique and back injuries last season. He was hoping for better fortune this season, but before the first quarter of the preseason was over he had another setback. At least it sounds like he avoided something that will keep him out for a long time.
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