Irsay: Richardson will start

Colts owner Jim Irsay told NFL.com's Judy Battista that QB Anthony Richardson will start games this season. It's fair to wonder how much knowledge or input Irsay actually has on this. As the team owner, he shouldn't really be involved with on-field decisions. And he certainly doesn't tend to hold back with his public comments. But QBs chosen early in Round 1 historically are likely to take over the starting job at some point in Year 1 -- most commonly before mid-season. Many evaluators think Richardson will need more development time than Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. But there are others who believe he's much closer to ready. Indy signed QB Gardner Minshew for just $3.5 million on a one-year deal in free agency. That's light even for a backup at this point. So they clearly didn't sign Minshew intending to have him start for a year. We already have Richardson projected to start more than half his rookie season in our 2023 fantasy football QB rankings. And we'll be watching his offseason closely. His rushing ability makes the upside enormous.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) "should be" ready for the start of OTAs next month, HC Shane Steichen said. Richardson underwent surgery on October 24 to repair a severe AC joint injury and was cleared to resume throwing in February. “I think what happened to him is gonna make him stronger,” Steichen said. “I know he’s super fired up and ready to roll through the spring practice and training camp and this season. ... I couldn’t be more excited to get him back going again. His limited sample size that he had in those first five weeks was impressive. He hit some plays I’ve never seen guys make.” Steichen added that keeping Richardson healthy is a priority but that he won't limit him as a runner. Richardson said earlier this offseason that he won't change his playing style, despite last year's injuries. There remains top-5 fantasy upside here.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson was recently cleared to resume throwing, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. Richardson had surgery on his right shoulder in October but is 6-8 weeks ahead of schedule in his rehab, per Holder. It sounds like Richardson will be able to participate in at least some of the offseason program and should be a full-go come training camp. Multiple injuries limited him to just two full games as a rookie last year -- but he finished QB4 in fantasy points both of those weeks. A healthy Richardson has easy top-5 fantasy upside in 2024 and beyond. See where he sits in our initial 2024 fantasy football QB rankings.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson said Thursday that he doesn't plan on changing his playing style going forward, despite suffering multiple injuries during his rookie season. "There's a time and a place to be physical," he said. "I love being physical. That's my nature. ... I don't think I played reckless. I think I played the right way." Richardson played just two full games this past year and ran 10 times in both. He totaled 25 carries on 15% of Indianapolis' offensive snaps -- which equates to 166 carries over a full, healthy season. There's huge rushing upside with Richardson in 2024 and beyond. He also said Thursday that he plans on resuming throwing in February after his October shoulder surgery.

Colts owner Jim Irsay says QB Anthony Richardson has decided to have surgery on his right shoulder, which will end the rookie's season. This was previously reported as the likely move and will mean QB Gardner Minshew starting going forward. Sam Ehlinger sits as the backup, with Kellen Mond on the practice squad. We'll see whether Indy makes any further moves at the position.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson will "probably" miss the rest of the regular season, ESPN's Stephen Holder reports. The rookie might need surgery on his injured right shoulder. That came from Colts owner Jim Irsay, and it should mean Gardner Minshew starting the rest of the season. Richardson remains a high-upside asset for dynasty fantasy football teams. We're not projecting much difference for other Colts offensive pieces with Minshew in place of Richardson. If anything, the swap likely means more passing volume and less goal-line competition for the RBs.