INDIANAPOLIS — Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson has realized the street again from a season-ending harm shouldn’t be at all times linear.
“Some days I really feel wonderful after which some days I get up like, ‘Dang, my shoulder’s slightly achy,'” stated Richardson, who underwent proper shoulder surgical procedure final season. “However each day, I work. Each time I end rehab or I am in a weight room lifting, it is like, ‘OK, I am again.’
“As a result of I bear in mind a couple of months in the past, I could not even carry my arm up.”
Now, Richardson is doing that after which some.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
The 2023 No. 4 general draft choose returned this week to full-squad exercises for the primary time since his harm, taking part within the Colts’ first week of OTAs. It represents a serious step within the development of the younger quarterback, who performed simply 4 video games as a rookie final season.
Retaking his place because the franchise quarterback was significant for Richardson after the numerous chunk of missed time.
“It is what I like to do,” he stated of taking part in soccer. “Being out right here with the blokes, spending [the day] with them … Is wonderful.”
He added, “I am blessed to be right here.”
Richardson sustained an AC joint sprain in a Week 5 sport towards the Tennessee Titans final season, reducing brief what appeared like a promising rookie season. He spent the following three months watching, whilst Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud — taking part in for one of many Colts’ AFC South rivals — put the ending touches on a prolific rookie season that earned him offensive rookie of the yr.
These experiences solely served to create a higher need inside Richardson to make it again. Indianapolis performs Houston in Week 1 following a season-ending win by the Texans that clinched a playoff spot and knocked the Colts out of the postseason.
“I am at all times excited to play soccer, however my man [Stroud], he obtained the W on the finish of the season final yr, so I am excited for our offense to get going towards him this yr,” Richardson stated. “I am simply able to see what is going on to occur.”
Within the meantime, it is about working towards that day. Richardson, coaches say, was a diligent pupil all through his time on injured reserve. And he is sustaining that method this spring, hunkering down with coach Shane Steichen and his assistants to extend his command of an offense he was solely capable of run for a brief interval in 2023.
“I am extra comfy with the offense now,” Richardson stated. “I’ve a yr below my belt. Not a yr [of] taking part in time, however simply being within the conferences each day. Then, simply learning on a regular basis. Coming right here early within the morning assembly with Shane, that is one thing I take pleasure in as a result of if I do know the offense inside and outside like Shane does, then I believe we will be unstoppable. So, I’ve simply obtained to maintain perfecting it and simply preserve trusting myself and trusting the offense.”
As for the way Richardson has carried out, he had some moments of brilliance together with some less-than-perfect moments. A cross into site visitors to high receiver Michael Pittman Jr. throughout Wednesday’s follow, which was open to reporters, was one Richardson might need needed again.
Pittman collided with a teammate whereas making an attempt to make the reception, then fell to floor in ache. He remained there momentarily earlier than limping off the sphere. Steichen later stated Pittman “bumped knees” with one other participant and “needs to be wonderful.”
Total although, the impressions of Richardson had been promising, Steichen stated.
“I believe with any participant, you’ve got slightly rust each every now and then,” he stated. “However he is been fairly clean on the market thus far, finishing a variety of balls. Completion share has been good, understanding the place to go together with the soccer, which is an effective signal. I like the place he’s at proper now. Massive time.”