Anthony Richardson Injured During Indianapolis Colts' Initial Preseason Matchup
Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson Suffers Preseason Injury
Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback, was forced to leave Thursday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens after a vicious sack in the first quarter. Richardson sustained a significant injury to his throwing hand's finger, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming season.
The Colts announced that Richardson would be out for the rest of the game. The replay showed his right pinkie finger pointing in an unnatural direction, but initial X-rays were negative, and he was expected to return quickly to practice.
Richardson's injury history has been a concern for the team. Since 2020, he has only appeared in 35 regular-season football games. His past injuries include a hamstring strain, knee meniscus tear, shoulder sprain, hip sprain, lower back muscle pull, two documented concussions, and a season-ending right shoulder AC joint sprain surgery in 2023.
In 2023, Richardson underwent surgery to repair the AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, causing him to miss the latter part of that season and offseason practices in 2025 due to soreness. By July 2025, he appeared to have recovered fully from the shoulder issue and was preparing for training camp, though the Colts medical staff considered a pitch count early in camp to manage his workload and avoid fatigue.
However, in August 2025 preseason, Richardson dislocated his right pinkie finger during the first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. This injury could potentially hamper his throwing effectiveness and impact his chances to cement himself as the starter, especially with Daniel Jones actively competing.
Jones, the Colts' backup quarterback, now has the chance to take all the first-team reps due to Richardson's injury. Jones signed a one-year $14 million contract with the Colts in spring 2025, and analysts suggest that while the pinkie injury might not be long-term, it could still impact his performance and potentially secure the starting quarterback position for him if Richardson misses significant practice time.
The outcome of Richardson's injury and Jones' performance will determine the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson's injury-prone history potentially complicates his quest to win the starting QB job, especially with Jones actively competing. Staying healthy through the preseason and training camp will be crucial for Richardson to maintain his edge as the projected starting quarterback for Indianapolis in 2025.
References:
- NFL.com
- ESPN.com
- Sports Illustrated
- CBS Sports
- Pro Football Talk
The injury sustained by Anthony Richardson to his right pinkie finger during the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens could potentially impact his availability for the upcoming NFL season. This American football season, the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback position has both Richardson and backup Daniel Jones competing, with Jones now having the opportunity to take all the first-team reps due to Richardson's injury.
