Anthony Richardson injury update: Adam Schefter updates Daniel Jones' playing chances amid QB's shoulder issues

The Indianapolis Colts could be looking at a quarterback competition going into next season considering where things stand with Anthony Richardson, the former No. 4 overall pick, and Daniel Jones, who they signed back in March. Experts are taking note of it too with how that depth chart could end up looking at QB1 and QB2.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the latest on the Colts’ quarterback spot on ‘Get Up’ on Thursday. He mentioned the effect that a current, yet lingering, injury to Richardson’s shoulder is having on it coming into the summer with less than a month until their training camp starts. That has left Jones as a very real option for Indianapolis.

“I just think there’s some questions here,” Schefter said of Richardson’s issue. “Now, he believes he’s going to be ready for training camp. I’ve had other people wonder if that will be the case. I’ve had people refute that and say he will be. I think the team believes he’ll be ready for the start of training camp. But it’s a shoulder injury. He’s had the shoulder injury before. It’s worth monitoring.”

“And, let’s not forget the fact that they signed Daniel Jones for a deal that pays more money to him than the Steelers are paying to Aaron Rodgers, which tells you that the Colts believe that they may have to turn to Daniel Jones to start at some point, whether Anthony Richardson is injured or not,” added Schefter.”

Richardson was expected to be the next franchise quarterback there but, through two seasons starting, he has posted just 50.6% completion for 2,391 yards, good for 159.4 per game, with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has rushed for 635 yards, at 42.3 yards a game, and 10 touchdowns but has also lost four of a dozen fumbles, which brings him to 21 touchdowns and 17 turnovers in total as a pro. Health has also come into question for him over each of his years.

That’s where Jones comes into the conversation, who they signed in the spring after the New York Giants released him in November following six seasons with the franchise before he finished the year with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones, a former top-ten pick himself, has also had his highs and lows in the league with 64.1% completion for 208.3 yards per game, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in passing while rushing for 31.1 yards per game with 15 touchdowns with 28 lost fumbles. That brings him to a career total of 85 touchdowns yet 75 turnovers.

Still, with where the two quarterbacks are, Mike Tannenbaum thinks Jones needs to be the start in Indy. That’s with Jones having a better chance to perform well in Week 1 as compared to a player who he thinks still needs some more development in Richardson.

“I’d play Daniel Jones,” said Tannenbaum. “Why’d we hire Shane Steichen? He did a great job in Philadelphia. He’s a quarterback guy. And, if you can clean up sacks (with) 208, 73 turnovers? You may have something in Daniel Jones.”

“I think you want to win for today, and develop for tomorrow. Anthony Richardson has unique upside. And, this isn’t second-guessing. This is first-guessing. I don’t know why they played him so fast knowing that he was so inexperienced coming out of Florida,” Tannenbaum said. “I think Daniel Jones is an ideal bridge quarterback…If we’re sitting here in November talking about a Sam Darnold turnaround, I don’t think it’s inconceivable that that’s Daniel Jones this year.”

Schefter saw where Tannenbaum was coming from as far as Richardson vs. Jones. He’s aware of several people around the league who think higher of him than maybe the average person would based on what his career has been to this point.

“Let me tell you something. There are people around the league that really like Daniel Jones,” Schefter shared. “I’m just telling you. He’s got his supporters. Even though he got run off in New York, there are a lot of people who believe an awful lot in Daniel Jones.”

Eyes will be on Richardson and Jones as far as reps go come camp next month. It may not matter at the moment, though, pending the status for Richardson going into that in July.