The Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson might have already played the final snap of his first NFL season. According to multiple reports, Richardson is considering getting surgery on his ailing shoulder that would rule him out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.
Richardson landed on Injured Reserve last week after being diagnosed with an AC sprain in his right shoulder. The injury didn’t seem season-ending at the time, but it appears the situation has changed since.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Richardson visited a number of specialists in order to figure out the best way to deal with the issue. The overwhelming conclusion is that the surgery is the best option for the long-term health of his shoulder.
The injuries limited Richardson to four games in 2023, in which he completed 59.5% of his passes while throwing for 577 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also has 136 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Even if the Colts lose Richardson for the season, they are well-positioned to remain competitive. They have veteran Gardner Minshew III as part of their QB room, and the former sixth-round pick is widely considered the best backup in the league. Minshew has 7,514 passing yards and 47 touchdowns since entering the league in 2019.
