Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. went under the knife last Monday to repair an orbital fracture he picked up during pregame warmups in Week 6, league sources confirm. The good news? There’s genuine belief Richardson might make it back onto the field before this season wraps up.
Injury Details: Unfortunate Locker Room Accident
The injury came from what you’d call a freak accident involving a stretching band in the Colts’ locker room. Richardson was using the band—which was hooked up to some fixed equipment—to get his stretch routine in when things went sideways. The gear gave out, and a piece of it whipped back and caught him square in the face with serious force. Team medical staff rushed him to a local hospital, though he was discharged the same day.
Recovery Timeline and Roster Moves
The Colts officially put Richardson on injured reserve October 13th, which means he’s got to sit out at least three games. His earliest shot at getting back is looking like Week 12 when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the team brought in veteran Brett Rypien to shore up their quarterback room while Richardson heals up. Rypien, who’s 29, now slots in as the third-string QB behind starter Daniel Jones and backup Riley Leonard—Leonard being that sixth-round pick they grabbed in the 2025 NFL Draft.
When asked about Richardson’s status Friday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen kept things pretty vague, saying Richardson is “just recovering right now” without getting into specifics about when he might be ready to go.
Competition for Colts Starting QB Spot
Richardson, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had quite the battle with Daniel Jones during training camp for that starting spot. Jones, who landed in Indianapolis last offseason after the New York Giants cut him loose, ended up winning the job. Through Week 8, Jones has been running the show for what’s become the NFL’s most explosive offense, putting up an eye-popping 33.1 points per game.
Colts’ Current Standings and Outlook
The Colts are sitting pretty with a 6-1 record, making them the lone NFL team with just one loss and zero ties on their ledger. They’re looking to keep their stranglehold on the AFC when they square off against the Tennessee Titans—a team they absolutely dismantled 41-20 back in Week 3.
