Colts starting quarterback and promising rookie Anthony Richardson is opting for season-ending shoulder surgery on his AC joint injury, which will thus force him to miss the team’s game against the Steelers. The team announced that after receiving multiple opinions, the common consensus was that Richardson would need surgery on his throwing shoulder to help his long-term health. Richardson is already on injured reserve.
Initially, there was optimism that he would return this season after about six weeks, and thus for their game against the Steelers in mid-December. But that is now dashed. Richardson’s promising rookie season, where he led the Colts to some electric games to start the season, is over before it got rolling.
Now, the starter will be Gardner Minshew, one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Minshew already led the Colts to a win over the Baltimore Ravens and has plenty of starting experience in the NFL. However, the Colts have struggled to get consistent offense going. Minshew threw three interceptions against the Jaguars this Sunday in a 37-20 loss. While he also threw for 329 yards, the Colts will need to take care of the football and rely upon the legs of Jonathan Taylor to lead them to wins.
Even with Taylor back, the Steelers will see the game as one of their easier on the schedule. Now, the Colts will not be able to see that duo of Richardson and Taylor until next season with Richardson on the sidelines with the injury.