Despite shoulder pain earlier this month, quarterback Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts is still “full go” for training camp, according to the team.
The Colts, under by general manager Chris Ballard, are not worried about Richardson’s shoulder fatigue after structured team workouts and minicamp.
Following an AC joint strain in Week 5, Richardson, 22, had shoulder surgery in 2023 that ended the season.
Ballard stated, “He’ll be full go,” on the podcast “The GM Shuffle”. “He was full go all the way up until the last day of OTAs, and we had two heavy throwing sessions the two days before, and so we backed off a little on the last day.”
Richardson participated fully in both the first day of minicamp and OTAs. He skipped the last day of minicamp and left early on Day 2.
Richardson and Colts coach Shane Steichen both maintained that it was a precautionary move to keep him out on game day. Earlier this month, Richardson told reporters that the stiffness was to be expected while he recovers.
Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 draft, completed 59.5% of his passes for 577 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception over four starts to begin his career. He also picked up 136 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Looking forward to having Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick, lead them as their quarterback of the future, the Colts entered the 2023 NFL season. Regretfully, after only four starts, the rookie from Florida had season-ending shoulder surgery a little over a month into the campaign. This week, Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard provided the most recent report on Richardson’s health on The GM Shuffle podcast.
Following the initial announcement of Richardson’s injury, there have been updates during the season indicating that he won’t need a second surgery to fix his AC joint issue, as well as one in February announcing that he had resumed throwing shortly after the postseason ended. Most recently, the 22-year-old was expected to take part in spring practices, according to information we received at the end of March.
Richardson was able to take part this spring, in fact. According to reports, he recently fully participated in planned team exercises, reducing his intensity just on the last day of OTAs following two intense throwing sessions the days prior. Even though he departed Day 2 of minicamp early and did not show up on Day 3, he was reportedly a full participant on Day 1.
There have been reports that Richardson’s shoulder pain prevented him from participating. That seems sense after two days of intense throwing, but given the severity of Richardson’s injury, it’s still a cause for concern.
Both head coach Shane Steichen and Richardson maintain that his absence was only a precaution, despite the suggestion that his stiffness and reserved participation indicate that his ailment is still not fully healed. Richardson’s stiffness and lack of participation at the conclusion of minicamp, according to the Colts, won’t affect his ability to participate in training camp. This summer during camp, the second-year passer is anticipated to be “full go.”
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