It is early in the offseason, but the Indianapolis Colts already received some welcome news.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported quarterback Anthony Richardson was cleared to throw again following shoulder surgery. What’s more, the surgeon said Richardson is approximately six to eight weeks ahead of schedule as he eyes a 2024 return.
Indianapolis made the University of Florida signal-caller its franchise quarterback when it selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, but he played just four games in his rookie season before suffering the injury.
To the Colts’ credit, they still went 9-8 and almost made the playoffs with Gardner Minshew leading the way.
Colts’ Anthony Richardson 6-8 Weeks Ahead of Schedule in Shoulder Injury Rehab
It is early in the offseason, but the Indianapolis Colts already received some welcome news.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported quarterback Anthony Richardson was cleared to throw again following shoulder surgery. What’s more, the surgeon said Richardson is approximately six to eight weeks ahead of schedule as he eyes a 2024 return.
Indianapolis made the University of Florida signal-caller its franchise quarterback when it selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, but he played just four games in his rookie season before suffering the injury.
To the Colts’ credit, they still went 9-8 and almost made the playoffs with Gardner Minshew leading the way.
Prior to the setback, Richardson completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 136 yards and four scores on the ground. He showed off the running ability and big arm that made him such an intriguing prospect and will be firmly under the spotlight in his second season.
Minshew is a free agent this offseason, and it remains to be seen whether Indianapolis will bring him back. But even if it does, Richardson is going to get every opportunity to play and take control of the offense given the draft capital the team invested in him.
A healthy Richardson running read-option looks with Jonathan Taylor and running an up-tempo approach in the offense will be difficult to stop and could help the Colts take another step forward in a division that also features C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence at the quarterback position.
But he has to get healthy first, and he has apparently taken significant steps toward doing just that even at an early point in the offseason.
