Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson‘s hope of staying on the field throughout the 2025 season encountered a serious obstacle this week when he sustained a finger injury during the opening quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. This injury forced Richardson out of the game, and Daniel Jones, who is also competing for the starting quarterback role, was brought in as his replacement.
Background of Richardson’s Injury Challenges in His NFL Career
Richardson’s career has been disrupted by multiple injuries since he entered the NFL. During his rookie season, he appeared in only four games before a combination of a concussion and an AC joint sprain in his shoulder required surgery and ended his season prematurely. In 2024, he began the campaign healthy and started as the Colts‘ quarterback but was sidelined again due to an oblique injury, missing several contests. After returning, he briefly lost the starting position to veteran Joe Flacco before reclaiming it. Throughout that season, Richardson struggled with his performance, throwing for 1,814 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 11 games.
Efforts to Overcome Injuries and Compete for Starting Role
During the 2025 offseason, Richardson aimed to build momentum but had to miss the Colts’ minicamp because of a recurrence of the shoulder injury from his rookie year. He recovered by mid-July and has been vying to secure the starting quarterback job over Daniel Jones, who joined the team in March. Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon expressed confidence in Richardson’s potential to prove himself despite his rookie contract timeline and injury history, emphasizing the importance of competition.
“Where he is in his career and in his deal as a rookie, we still have time. He still has time to prove it,”
Irsay-Gordon told Colts.com’s JJ Stankevitz in July.
“Bring a sense of urgency. And nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition.”
—Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Colts Owner
Looking Ahead: Health and Competition Will Define Richardson’s Future
As Anthony Richardson continues to compete for the Colts’ starting quarterback position, maintaining his health remains a critical factor. His history of injuries has created an atmosphere of uncertainty about his ability to perform consistently. With Daniel Jones ready to step in when needed, Richardson faces added pressure to demonstrate durability and effectiveness to solidify his role on the team moving forward.