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Stephen Holder
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, within the midst of a quarterback battle with veteran Daniel Jones, has aggravated the precise shoulder joint he injured in 2023 and shall be sidelined for an undetermined size of time, coach Shane Steichen stated Thursday.
Steichen stated Richardson missed all three offseason practices this week and shall be held out of subsequent week’s three-day necessary minicamp. Steichen was noncommittal when requested whether or not Richardson can be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp, which begins on July 22.
The information comes on the heels of Richardson approaching trainers after a apply final week and reporting soreness within the shoulder, Steichen stated. After examination, medical doctors decided he suffered an aggravation of his AC joint, which Richardson sprained 5 weeks into his rookie season.
That earlier harm required season-ending surgical procedure. This one will not, Steichen stated, however Richardson wants relaxation.
“Not going to place a timetable for coaching camp on it, however when he does come again, we’ll ease him into throwing after which we’ll go from there,” Steichen stated.
Requested whether or not this type of soreness is regular for gamers who beforehand sustained AC joint accidents, Steichen stated he was undecided.
The information is a significant setback for Richardson amid the quarterback battle with Jones. Richardson has already missed 17 complete video games in two seasons due to accidents, together with 12 video games missed due to the earlier shoulder sprain. The Colts additionally benched Richardson for 2 video games final season, briefly choosing veteran Joe Flacco.
The No. 4 choose in 2023, Richardson arrived with hopes of changing into the franchise quarterback in Indianapolis. However his harm travails have dealt a blow to these hopes.
Previous to this harm, Steichen stated, Richardson “was in a extremely great place. He was throwing it good. Conferences have been good. He was making actually good progress.”
This harm, contemplating its timing, is amongst Richardson’s greatest blows. The Colts, dissatisfied with Richardson’s progress in 12 months 2 final season, got down to add “competitors” to their quarterback unit and did so to the tune of a $14 million one-year contract for Jones.
The previous Giants first-round alternative who flamed out in New York accepted the Colts’ supply with the mindset that he would have an opportunity to resurrect his profession. Richardson’s harm offers him a gap to just do that.
“Daniel will get numerous reps after which we’ll see the way it performs out,” Steichen stated.
Richardson’s struggles on the sector weren’t the one issue that prompted them to handle the quarterback place. Finally, the observe document of accidents with Richardson got here into play, too.
“We will not beat our head in opposition to the wall,” normal supervisor Chris Ballard stated in January. “We have to have competitors on the place only for the truth that competitors makes everyone higher, after which two, he isn’t confirmed he can play 17 video games.” That assertion appears prescient now with Richardson sidelined once more. After injuring his shoulder in 2023, Richardson final season confronted an indirect/hip harm that sidelined him for 2 video games and again spasms/soreness that stored him out for the ultimate two video games.
In Richardson’s absence, sixth-round choose Riley Leonard will occupy the No. 2 spot. The Colts is not going to make a quarterback roster transfer for now, in line with Steichen.
