INDIANAPOLIS – A second opinion on Anthony Richardson’s sore right shoulder produced the same prognosis on his return.
Rest and we’ll see.
That was Shane Steichen’s update Tuesday on Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts’ incumbent starting quarterback who hasn’t practiced since experiencing soreness in his right shoulder following a May 29 practice.
Team physicians determined Richardson’s pain was a result of stress from an accumulation of throwing during the offseason and prescribed rest at least through the start of training camp, which opens July 22 in Westfield.
As players routinely opt to do, Richardson sought a second opinion and traveled to Los Angeles for a consult with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the Oct. 24, 2023, surgery. Richardson suffered a grade-2 sprain to the AC joint in his right shoulder Oct. 8 against the Tennessee Titans.
Dr. ElAttrache’s prognosis mirrored the Colts’.
“Status quo,’’ Steichen said. “It’s the same thing. We’re rehabbing him and no timetable on the return.
“Once the doctors clear him to throw, we’ll ease him back in.’’
Richardson missed three practices last week and will be held out of the three-day mandatory minicamp, which began Tuesday.
He’s involved in an open competition with free-agent acquisition Daniel Jones for the starting position, which means extended exposure for Jones with the starting offense.
“He’s going to have a lot of reps going forward, obviously this week and then we’ll see how training camp plays out,’’ Steichen said.
The shoulder issue is the latest injury that’s impeded Richardson’s development and success.
Since the Colts made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft Richardson has missed 17 of a possible 34 games with injuries and another two games last season after being benched. The shoulder surgery forced him to miss the final 12 games of his rookie season.
He’s started just 15 games in two seasons.
Richardson’s unreliability directly led to general manager Chris Ballard signing Jones to a one-year, $13 million contract.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.