Colts’ key player confident on finding his best again after season-ending injury

admin | January 12, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Don’t expect Anthony Richardson to be a safe bet for the Colts in 2024.

Even before the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 draft, his small frame and proclivity to run caused questions. Will Richardson be able to withstand the rigors of an NFL season? Those concerns were unfounded, as Richardson battled problems before being sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury.

But Richardson isn’t going to allow his shortened rookie season affect the way he plays football.

“I feel like I’m going to stay the same, keep being me,” Richardson told Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “I can’t possibly go through everyone. If it’s first-and-10, I need to get down, get out of bounds, get to the sideline, and do what I can. But if the game is at stake, I have to go out there and compete.”

Dangers of Richardson’s style

Richardson appeared in four games for the Colts, displaying the great promise that led to his selection so high despite starting only 13 games in college at Florida.

On just 25 carries, the dual-threat averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns. But it wasn’t just his speed that put him in peril. Over his last two starts, Richardson averaged 8.1 yards per pass attempt.

The Colts understand that Richardson’s athleticism and running threat are components of his game that should be highlighted rather than minimized. They must, however, safeguard their franchise quarterback from further injury.

“It’s a difficult balance to strike because you don’t want to take anything away,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. “When you get into a game, you react instinctively to whatever your instincts take you to.” …Learning when to go out of bounds, when to back down vs. when to go for it, those are things he’ll have to learn.”

Richardson’s game will improve in those areas. But he won’t do so at the expense of what makes him and his game so exciting.