The Indianapolis Colts have pulled their rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson back onto the practice field after a two-month absence, but the team’s focus remains on veteran Philip Rivers as the starting job stays in his hands.
Richardson’s Return to the Field
Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced Thursday that Richardson would be back in practice, marking the first time in two months the player has taken snaps. The 22-year-old’s fractured orbital bone has healed enough for him to be cleared for practice, but Steichen said Richardson would not be activated before Monday night’s crucial game against the San Francisco 49ers. The coach added that Richardson has some vision limitations in his eye, but the team will get him back on the practice field, get him throwing, and have him participate in scout-team drills. “So it’s something that he’s going to have to manage,” Steichen said.
The Injury Timeline
Richardson has been on injured reserve since mid-October, when he suffered a freak locker-room accident while stretching with a band as part of his pre-game warmup routine. The Colts, who sit at an 8-6 record, now have 21 days to activate Richardson or to shut him down for the rest of the season. Richardson was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft because of his tantalizing size, arm strength and mobility, but injuries have limited him to just 15 starts and 17 total appearances out of 48 possible games.
He made only four starts as a rookie before needing season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder. In 2024 he missed six games with back and hip injuries and dislocated his pinkie during a preseason game, before losing the quarterback battle to Daniel Jones. Richardson has also struggled with accuracy; his completion percentage of 47.7 percent in 2024 was the lowest of any starter in the NFL. In three seasons he has compiled an 8-7 record, a completion percentage of 50.6 percent, 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
Richardson’s Perspective
“I feel normal, able to see, able to drive, walk around, not bump into anything so I feel normal,” Richardson said. He plans to continue wearing a visor underneath his face mask. “Sitting at home, it’s not fun. It’s really boring not being in the building as much when it first happened, not being around my teammates, not being able to go to the stadium and all that was really boring. But I thank God for being able to go out there and practice.”
Philip Rivers’ Continued Role
Philip Rivers will continue to start after coming out of retirement last week, when Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon and backup quarterback Riley Leonard, a rookie, arrived at the team complex with an injured right knee. Rivers joined the Colts’ practice squad on Tuesday and five days later was taking his first snaps in an NFL game in nearly five years. He nearly led the Colts to a come-from-behind victory at Seattle, but the Seahawks kicked a late field goal to hand Indy its fourth consecutive loss, 18-16.
Rivers said Thursday he feels much more comfortable after having a full week to prepare for the 49ers. “Really trying to dive into San Francisco and take advantage of the extra day, get into a normal game week,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist said. “Last week was a normal game week but not really because it was all ramped up, pretty fast. This has felt like more of a normal game week where we’re able to get started on Monday and Tuesday, so it’s felt somewhat routine from a standpoint of the daily operation.”
The Stakes for the Colts
Indy needs Rivers to play well over the last three weeks as it tries to end a four-year playoff drought. The team faces three strong defenses and three teams fighting to make the playoffs: San Francisco, two-time defending AFC South champion Houston (9-5) and AFC South-leading Jacksonville (10-4). Indy has lost five of six, sliding out of the division lead and into the No. 8 seed, which would leave them one spot short of making the AFC’s seven-team playoff field.
The 49ers, meanwhile, have won four straight as they try to leapfrog the Los Angeles Rams (11-3) and Seattle Seahawks (11-3) in the NFC West to capture the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony Richardson has returned to practice after a two-month injury layoff but is not yet cleared for game action.
- Philip Rivers remains the Colts’ starting quarterback, having returned from retirement after the team’s backup injuries.
- Indianapolis faces a tough final stretch against playoff-contending teams, with the 49ers, Houston and Jacksonville on the schedule.
The Colts’ focus remains on securing a playoff berth while managing the health and readiness of both their rookie and veteran quarterbacks.
Closing
With Richardson’s return to practice and Rivers’ continued leadership, the Colts are balancing recovery and preparation as they head into a critical series of games. The outcome of the Monday night matchup against the 49ers will set the tone for the remainder of the season, and every decision in the coming weeks could determine whether Indianapolis can break its playoff drought and climb back into the postseason picture.
