Richardson is still in the process of recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his season.
Indianapolis Colts star Anthony Richardson experienced a season-ending shoulder injury that cut short what was shaping up to be an impressive rookie year. However, he’s now ready to return fully healthy and prove he can be the face of the franchise in the upcoming season.
During the 2023 season, Richardson played in only four games, showcasing his dual-threat ability to both pass and run the football. Eager to complete a full season, Richardson expressed his readiness for training camp and confidence in his recovery to the media on Thursday, as reported by Amanda Foster on the Colts website.
“I’m ready for training camp and I’m feeling really good,” Richardson stated. “I’ve been preparing, and with a game coming up soon, I need to be ready.”
Despite his optimism, there remains some uncertainty about whether he will be completely fit for training camp. When questioned about potential limitations due to his injury history, Richardson, a University of Florida alum, responded with a smile.
“You’ll see next week once I’m slinging that thing again,” he said with a grin, according to Foster. “So just stay tuned.”
Richardson giving back to the Colts and high school in Indiana
He spoke about his recovery and goals for the upcoming season during a surprise visit to Speedway High School, where he talked with the football team and brought new helmets like the one he uses. Besides dealing with a shoulder injury, he also suffered a concussion last season, which he attributed to his own actions rather than the helmets, wanting to show the young players his appreciation.
“I’ve got to make myself available,” Richardson said about making the in-person visit. “If I just donated the helmets, they wouldn’t know if it was really me. So why not come out here, show some love, and shake hands with them.”
At 22, Richardson carries himself with the poise of a seasoned quarterback, a quality that likely influenced the Colts’ decision to draft him fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“It means a lot to be able to give back in my position,” Richardson said. “I’ve always been a giver. My mom gave me almost everything I have today, so I embraced that from her. Whenever I get the chance to give and help someone, I jump at it.”
Richardson gets high praise from a Colts legend
There are undoubtedly high expectations for Richardson in the upcoming season, focusing not only on his on-field performance but also on his leadership. First and foremost, he needs to get as healthy as possible and improve upon his limited play last season, where he threw for 577 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in four games, while also rushing for 136 yards and four touchdowns.
Class of 2024 Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney dropped by The Insiders to discuss his upcoming enshrinement, Colts rookie Laiatu Latu and QB Anthony Richardson and much more. pic.twitter.com/7aeNfcoBGt
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) July 17, 2024
Even Colts legend Dwight Freeney, who played on the defensive line from 2002 to 2012 and achieved great success with the team, praised Richardson. Impressed by his size, Freeney joked on Steve Wyche’s podcast “The Insiders” that Richardson should be playing defensive end. “Man, he should be playing defensive end,” Freeney remarked. “I tell you! But no, he does a great job, and I was very surprised by his poise. I think that was the biggest thing. When you’re a rookie, sometimes you get out there, and it’s like ‘a deer in the headlights.’ You don’t know what to do. You just run because you can run, and you lean on that.”
Freeney offers one piece of advice to Richardson on his health
Although the sample size was small, the young quarterback impressed the Colts legend with his poise in the pocket and his ability to escape with his legs to make explosive plays. However, the legend had one piece of advice for the quarterback: “get down a little bit sooner” to avoid injuries.
“The games I watched him play, he stood in the pocket,” Freeney said. “He made the right throws, and when he had to run, he was effective. The only thing I would advise is ‘get down a little bit sooner.’ (Laughing) These guys are out here trying to hit you hard. You’re one of the franchise’s faces, and we need you for the whole season, not just a few games. So keep that in mind when you run thirty yards downfield past a linebacker or cornerback.”
Richardson similar to Lamar Jackson per rival scout
What can a Colts fan expect from a player like Richardson, especially when compared to Baltimore Ravens MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson or former Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton? According to an anonymous scout from a rival AFC South team, Richardson could have been a strong contender against Houston Texans star C.J. Stroud for the Offensive Rookie of the Year, as reported by Athlon Sports.
“I saw enough of Anthony Richardson to see he’s a mix of Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton as a runner and has significant potential as a passer,” the scout told Athlon Sports. “If he had played a full season, I believe he would have been a serious challenger to C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.”
Richardson carries high expectations as he aims to improve the Colts, who finished third in the AFC South with a 9-8 record last season. They will kick off the upcoming season against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 8.
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