DECEMBER 24: Steichen said (via Chappell) this morning that Richardson will remain sidelined this week. The door is still open to an activation for Week 18, though.
DECEMBER 18: Anthony Richardson may not play again in 2025, but he will at least see time on the practice field late in the year. The Colts have designated Richardson for return from injured reserve, Shane Steichen announced on Thursday. 
Steichen said (via Fox59’s Mike Chappell) the orbital bone fracture which left Richardson sidelined has now healed. However, the third-year quarterback has still not regained full vision. Richardson will not be available for Week 16 regardless of how things go at practice over the coming days, Steichen added.
Philip Rivers is set to remain the Colts’ starter after unretiring to become the team’s QB1 last week. The 44-year-old nearly helped lead Indianapolis to a win in Week 15, and he will look to keep the team’s postseason chances alive with a victory against the 49ers. Rookie Riley Leonard will once again handle backup duties in Week 16.
Richardson, meanwhile, will return to practice in the hopes of being activated late in the campaign. The former No. 4 pick has been limited to two games – and as many pass attempts – in 2025. Free agent Daniel Jones was enjoying a career year before suffering an Achilles tear. With Richardson still sidelined at the time, Rivers was auditioned and signed last week following discussions involving Steichen and a number of Colts veterans. It will be interesting to see if the team’s depth chart undergoes any further alterations down the stretch.
Richardson was handed the reins right away as a rookie, but he played in only four games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Injuries and poor play remained an issue in 2024, prompting the Colts to add Jones in advance of a training camp competition. Retaining Jones for at least next season is, understandably, a team priority. Provided that happens, Richardson’s situation will be worth watching closely.
The 23-year-old could become a trade candidate if team and player opt for a fresh start. A Day 3 pick represents the expected value in a return for such a swap, an indication of how Richardson’s stock has plummeted during his brief NFL tenure. A small period of time to potentially offer a small boost to his value by returning to practice has now begun, though.
Phil-dawg is still a better option.
Those practice reps should give Richardson a real advantage when the UFL training camps open March 3 🙂
I said it before and will say it again, the Raiders should trade for AR, run a backfield with him and Jeanty (two strong RB’s), and draft run blocking O-line with their first 4 picks after moving down the draft board. Run the ball all day, kill the clock, and play Harbaugh style football next year. Put a speed burner back there with them to keep the edge honest and just pound the rock. Rush 65% and pass 35% with lots of passes to Bowers. It’s not pretty, but it would be productive and wait to draft a “franchise QB”, because I don’t think any of them in the draft are all that special this year and until you have a line, nothing else matters for a QB.
The Raiders have tried to draft offensive linemen in the past but their scouts keep thinking guys like Alex Leatherwood will be the next Art Shell… so that’s a bit of a problem 🙂
Or defensive lineman like clelin Ferrell
This plays well into my double QB scheme.
Or rather 1.5 QBs in this case 😀
forgot he was still on the team
Raiders just announced Richardson has been placed on IR. He clapped his hands and tore his oblique. He will need surgery and next year is up in the air also.