Jim Irsay reveals Anthony Richardson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair shoulder
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will undergo surgery to repair a shoulder injury. He’ll miss the rest of the season.
Colts owner Jim Irsay revealed the news about the team’s starting quarterback. The former Florida star was the fourth pick of April’s NFL Draft.
Irsay wrote: “After consultation with our medical staff, Anthony, and those close to him, it has been determined that he will undergo surgery to repair his injured shoulder, which will end his season. Anthony is a competitor, and we know how difficult and disappointing this is for him and our team. We collected several medical opinions and we felt this was the best course of action for his long-term health. We anticipate a full recovery and there is no doubt Anthony has a promising future. In the meantime, I love the fight of this team and I’m excited for the opportunity we have ahead of us. It starts this week with Cleveland.”
With Anthony Richardson out, Colts will turn to Gardner Minshew
Anthony Richardson sustained an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in a week five game against the Titans. Since the injury, the Colts have consulted doctors to determine whether their budding star needed surgery or whether he could heal the sprain with rest. Indianapolis placed him on IR last week, so Richardson already was going to miss at least four weeks.
Earlier this week, Irsay told ESPN that Anthony Richardson would make the ultimate decision.
“There’s debate going, but it’s probably going to lead toward surgery in the next week or so,” Irsay said. “We’re just trying to figure out exactly how and when and what we want to do and what Anthony wants to do.”
Richardson started each of the first four Colts games. He completed 50 of his 84 passes for 577 yards. He also threw with three touchdowns with one interception. Richardson’s QB passer rating was 87.3. Plus, Richardson kept defenses guessing with his running ability. He ran 25 times for 136 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Colts receiver Michael Pittman said he talked to his young quarterback about the injury. He wanted him to keep his head up.
“He’s our franchise guy,” Pittman said told reporters. “They brought him here to play for the next 15 years, hopefully. I told him, don’t sell himself short for the long term.
“… He’s definitely mentally tough. I think he’s handling it well. It’s always tough, just missing time and wanting to be out there and help and make an impact. He’s definitely feeling it, but he’s handling himself well and he’s doing everything right.”
With Anthony Richardson out of the lineup, the Colts will look to Gardner Minshew to lead the offense. He’s played in all three of the Colts victories this year and started the game against Jacksonville.