Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has resumed throwing, a league source told The Athletic on Thursday. The third-year pro had been shut down May 29 due to what Colts coach Shane Steichen labeled as an “aggravation” to the surgically repaired AC joint in Richardson’s throwing shoulder. At the time, the team did not provide a timeline for his return.
However, it now appears Richardson will be available when the Colts begin training camp next Wednesday, though it remains to be seen how much he will be allowed to do. In May, Steichen said the plan, “when he does come back (is) to ease him into throwing.”
After shutting Richardson down, team personnel determined there was no structural damage to his arm and he would not require another surgery. However, Richardson flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on his AC joint by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the same doctor who performed his shoulder procedure in October 2023. The doctor confirmed that another surgery wasn’t needed.
Richardson’s return means the QB battle between him and ex-New York Giants starter Daniel Jones, who hopes to revitalize his career in Indianapolis, can resume. The Colts signed Jones, in part, because of Richardson’s injury history. The 2023 No. 4 pick has missed 17 games due to injury through his first two seasons, and he has never started more than four straight games in a season. He was also benched for two games last year because of what Steichen labeled as a lack of proper game preparation.
The 2025 campaign could be pivotal in determining Richardson’s future with the Colts. The 23-year-old, who is the team’s highest drafted player since it selected Andrew Luck first in 2012, has done little to solidify himself as the face of the franchise. In addition to his durability issues, Richardson has struggled mightily as a passer. His 47.7 completion percentage last year was a league low and a franchise worst.
While Richardson is 8-7 as a starter, he has only thrown 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He’s also totaled 111 carries for 635 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 10 TDs.
Despite his up-and-down career, there have been a couple bright spots. Last year, he led the Colts on game-winning TD drives on the road against the New York Jets and New England Patriots. New Colts principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, who assumed that title after the death of her father, Jim Irsay, in May, said she hasn’t given up on Richardson.
“Sometimes, when you draft players, they have rough starts. They have injuries. They’ve got the things that they need to go through,” Irsay-Gordon said last month. “But I think it’s just way too early to tell (regarding Richardson’s future). I know (GM Chris Ballard) and Shane will let us know as we go along, but I think he has all the potential in the world.”
“If he wants to prove it, he can and he will — if he wants to.”
ESPN was first to report the news of Richardson’s throwing.
(Photo: Grace Hollars / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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