Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has made a significant step in his recovery by returning to practice on Thursday, two months after a serious pregame incident that resulted in a fractured orbital bone and jeopardized his right eye. Despite his return to the practice field, the team has not committed to him being active for the remainder of the season. Coach Shane Steichen emphasized the need to evaluate Richardson’s vision, which still presents some limitations.
“He still has some vision limitations in his [right] eye,” Steichen explained. “So we’re going to get him back on the practice field, get him throwing, doing some scout-team reps. It’s just something that’s he’s going to have to manage through the process.”
Richardson himself reported feeling improvements regarding his vision, although he acknowledged minor differences due to the injury. “There’s not really major limitations,” he said. “It’s just a little different because of the impact in my eye, but most of it’s really the same.” He expressed relief that the initial swelling subsided and pronounced himself ready to engage with his teammates once again.
Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, who recently came out of retirement at age 44, has stepped into the starting role after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Steichen confirmed, “Right now, Philip’s our starting quarterback.”
Looking ahead, the Colts are scheduled to host the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football,” marking the conclusion of Week 16. As Richardson continues his practice, the team will closely monitor his progress, but he won’t be active for the upcoming game.
Richardson’s return to the field after such a concerning injury serves as an encouraging example of resilience and determination. He expressed his eagerness to get back into the game saying, “I need to be back on the field… I just love being here with my teammates.” The Colts and their fans remain hopeful for his complete recovery and potential return to active play as the season progresses.