Anthony Richardson won't practice Wednesday, remains in concussion protocol

Anthony Richardson, the rookie quarterback for the Colts, was still in concussion protocol, Wednesday, and will miss practice.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to play in the Colts road matchup against the Ravens. Richardson was the fourth pick of April’s NFL Draft, when three quarterbacks were amongst the top four. All three of the quarterbacks — Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Richardson — kicked off the regular season on the first team. Coincidentally, now two of the three QBs are missing practice. Young is dealing with a tender ankle and coach Frank Reich held him out of Wednesday’s walk-thru.

Anthony Richardson may be the first of the big three to miss a start. There are five steps to the concussion protocol. In order to return to full practice and play in a game, the player must be evaluated by both the team’s doctor and an independent neurological consultant.

Richardson suffered the concussion during the first half of Sunday’s win over the Texans. That game initially featured C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the draft, against Richardson. The Colts replaced Richardson with Gardner Minshew. He played a near perfect game, completing 19 of his 23 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Indy will stick with Minshew as QB1 in today’s practice. And if Richardson can’t go, Sunday, then Minshew would start against Baltimore.

Richardson’s physical style also has made fans wonder if he’d suffer an injury. At 6-4 and 244 pounds, he’s as big as a linebacker, but hits are hits. They add up and it doesn’t matter that he’s the largest starting quarterback in the NFL. Richardson sustained the concussion when he took on Texans safety M.J. Stewart at the end of his 15-yard touchdown run. Richardson hit the back of his head on the turf. at NRG Stadium.

Being physicial is “part of my game and part of my style,” he told reporters. “I like to hit people first and try to put them in a pickle so they have to make a decision .… I’m going to try to play a little bit smarter and understand that I can’t take big hits if I’m trying to play the whole game.”

Colts owner Jim Irsay likened Anthony Richardson to former Indy great Peyton Manning.

“Peyton didn’t get hurt his first year as a rookie at all,” Irsay said, according to ESPN. “Played and practiced every game. But he didn’t run the ball like Anthony does.

“But that’s why we picked such a big, young, physical guy. They do take a pounding, but still, you got to have self-protection out there.”