Richardson Provides a Positive Health Update
Recent reports indicated that Daniel Jones had become the frontrunner to start at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, following a shoulder issue that sidelined third-year pro Anthony Richardson in late May.
This weekend, Richardson gave an optimistic update about his health during an interview with Zach Goodall of 247Sports. “I’m all good,” Richardson said about his expected status for the start of training camp. “Not really even a bump in the road. I feel like I tripped, I fell. Just got back up and hit the ground running again.”
With veteran Colts players set to report for training camp on July 22, Richardson still has about a month to prepare his arm for summer practices.
Jones Leads the Quarterback Competition
Despite Richardson’s recovery timeline, team reporter James Boyd of The Athletic suggested in a piece published Monday that Jones currently holds the edge in the quarterback competition. “Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open quarterback competition,” Boyd wrote.
This shift in the pecking order is attributed, in part, to growing frustration within the Colts organization over Richardson’s durability concerns. Since being drafted fourth overall in 2023, he has been limited to just 15 starts due to multiple injury setbacks.
Organizational Frustrations with Richardson
There is a perception that Richardson’s repeated health issues have worn thin on some within the Colts. In addition to injuries, head coach Shane Steichen benched Richardson for two games last fall after the quarterback removed himself from a contest, citing fatigue.
This string of events appears to have opened the door for Jones, who is looking to revive his career after a difficult final stretch with the New York Giants.
A Chance for Jones to Rebound
Jones, who led the Giants to a road playoff win during the 2022 season, went just 3-13 over his final 16 starts with the team. After a stint with the Minnesota Vikings late last season, the Colts are hopeful that a fresh start might help him rediscover his earlier form.
The starting role isn’t guaranteed for Jones. A poor showing in the preseason, which kicks off for Indianapolis on August 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, could still cost him the job. However, Boyd’s description of Jones as QB1 “for now” may speak volumes about how Richardson is currently perceived within the franchise.
