Anthony Richardson Still Sidelined as Colts Proceed with Caution on Eye Injury
The Colts are keeping the door open for a potential return this season for quarterback Anthony Richardson, but right now, that return doesn’t appear to be imminent.
Richardson, who’s been on injured reserve for the past seven weeks after suffering a broken orbital bone in a pregame accident, is back in the building and doing some physical work. But when it comes to football activities? He’s not there yet.
“It’s an eye issue,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “We’re just waiting for that to get clearance.
Any time you’re dealing with an eye, you want to make sure he’s got full vision in that eye. He’s resting it right now.”
The injury, which occurred in a freak incident involving a resistance band, required surgery and has kept Richardson sidelined ever since. And while he’s making progress in the weight room, the Colts are taking no chances with a recovery that involves something as delicate and critical as vision.
This isn’t about toughness or pain tolerance - it’s about safety, precision, and long-term health. For a quarterback, vision is everything.
It’s not just about seeing the field - it’s about reading blitzes, tracking receivers, and making split-second decisions. The Colts know that rushing Richardson back before he’s fully cleared would be a risk they simply can’t afford.
In the meantime, Indianapolis is rolling with its current depth chart. Rookie Riley Leonard has stepped into the backup role behind the starter, and veteran Brett Rypien remains on the practice squad as an emergency option. That setup isn’t changing until Richardson is cleared for more than just weight room work.
“(Richardson's) just doing some stuff in the weight room right now, getting back into it,” Steichen said.
The Colts haven’t shut the door on a return this season, but there’s no timeline either. It’s a wait-and-see situation - literally.
“We’re hopeful for that,” Steichen added. “He’s just resting his eye right now. When that time comes, I’ll let you guys know.”
For now, the Colts continue to monitor their young quarterback’s recovery with patience and caution. And while fans are eager to see Richardson back under center, the focus remains on making sure he’s 100% - not just healthy enough to play, but fully ready to lead again when the time is right.