According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson underwent surgery to repair his orbital bone fracture on Monday—but could still return this season:
The former 4th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft has suffered a myriad on injuries since entering the league with Indianapolis (including
13 games in his rookie season largely due to a season-ending shoulder injury), but none have been stranger than after a medical band malfunctioned during pregame training work before Week 6’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Richardson fractured the orbital bone in his eye and was placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter.
That move required he would miss at least the next 4 games—meaning the soonest he would be eligible to return would’ve been Week 12 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs (with a BYE week in Week 11), but it sounds like his return this season is much further in doubt—as his recovery timetable could realistically be a lot longer.
After participating in an offseason starting quarterback competition, Richardson lost the job to new Colts veteran starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who doesn’t appear to be relinquishing the job anytime soon. Prior to the potential season-ending eye injury, Richardson appeared in 2 games, all late in blowout wins in relief of Jones.
He has a $10.86M cap hit due next season, and Indianapolis holds a 5th-year club option for the 2027 season.
It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for Richardson, particularly as it relates to remaining in Indianapolis past this season and beyond.
