Colts coach Shane Steichen: Anthony Richardson is feeling good, 'making great progress'
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, in his brief time being healthy last season, showed off all the reasons why Indianapolis used such a lofty draft pick on him.
And now, fans want to know how well Richardson, the former Florida star, is doing, months after shoulder surgery ended his season so prematurely. Colts coach Shane Steichen met with Indy media this week to talk about how his team sets up this off-season.
Obviously, Richardson was a hot topic. Steichen said the quarterback is doing work in both Florida and Indianapolis.
“He’s making great progress,“ the Colts coach said. “You guys have seen, obviously, through social media, he’s throwing. I’m not going to put a timetable on his return, but he’s in great spirits, feeling good. Obviously, going through stuff, but he’s making really, really good progress.”
It has been a significant off-season for Richardson. He and his girlfriend, Jada, got engaged. And the two announced that they are expecting a child. They had their main baby shower late last month.
Colts quarterback underwent surgery in late October
Of course, Richardson underwent surgery to repair his right, throwing shoulder in late October, so he has had more than four full months of healing time. Both Steichen and Colts general manager Chris Ballard indicated that they are not pushing Richardson to return too soon. He is much too valuable as an investment, with the Colts taking him fourth overall in last year’s draft.
Ballard told reporters covering the NFL Combine that he had experience dealing with quarterbacks and injury. Ballard said, “I lived through the last one (Andrew Luck) and I learned a lot of lessons living through the last one.”
In the meantime, the Colts are making sure that Richardson will have a good supporting cast surrounding him for when he is healthy. Indianapolis made sure to keep No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman. The Colts used the franchise tag on Pittman and sides likely will agree to a long-term deal.
“When you have a reliable player like Pitt that is going to show up every Sunday and make plays like he does, it definitely helps a young quarterback,” Steichen said. “To keep getting that chemistry with those two guys, building, will be huge for Anthony’s (Richardson) growth.”
And, did you know that there is all sorts of buzz about the Colts adding Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of next month’s draft? Bowers met with the Colts while in Indianapolis last week for the Combine.
The team will start spring workouts in mid-April. On-field drills then do not start until after the draft. So there still is plenty of time for Richardson’s shoulder to grow stronger.