Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson saw his rookie campaign abbreviated due to a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the season.
However, Richardson is apparently ready to return with a vengeance in 2024.
“I’ve never waited this long to get back to playing football,” Richardson said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “I’m just on a mission this year. Once that mission’s complete, then I’ll be good.”
Richardson, who played his collegiate football at the University of Florida, was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick of the NFL Draft last spring.
He had a rather unfortunate debut season, as he sustained a concussion in Week 2, which sidelined him for the following game. Then, in Week 5, Richardson injured his shoulder and had to undergo surgery.
During his time on the field, Richardson threw for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while completing 59.5 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 87.3. He also rushed for 136 yards and four scores.
The 21-year-old showed flashes of brilliance, but there is evidently more where that came from.
“People didn’t really get to see everything I could do on the field,” Richardson said. “So, it’s kind of like a rookie season for me still. But now I’ve gained a lot more knowledge and understanding about football and the NFL. So, I’m a rookie at heart, but now I’m slowly turning into the leader that my team needs me to be. I’m ready for every opportunity that’s in front of me.”
Indianapolis ended up going 9-8 this past season, mostly under the direction of Gardner Minshew, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
The Colts went out and added Joe Flacco to serve as Richardson’s backup, but they are obviously hoping they won’t need to go back to that well again next season.
Hopefully, Anthony Richardson can stay healthy in 2024 and show everyone what he can do over the course of a full 17-game campaign.
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