As the Indianapolis Colts look to secure their first win of the year, they will be without their first-round pick and starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Richardson left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans early in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) has been downgraded to out. #INDvsHOU
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 17, 2023
Richardson provided an early spark for Indianapolis, as he capped off the Colts’ opening drive with an 18-yard rushing touchdown, the second of his career.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON SHOWING OFF HIS LEGS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN
His second rushing TD of the season!!
pic.twitter.com/32mDN8mzmJ— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 17, 2023
Richardson’s scoring wasn’t finished, however, as he capped off Detroit’s very next drive with another rushing touchdown, this time from 15 yards out.
Anthony Richardson has two rushing TDs less than six minutes into the game!
📺: #INDvsHOU on FOX⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/QfJYDVcoD2
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
It’s unclear when Richardson suffered the concussion, as the Colts punted to end their possession, and then when they got the ball back, Gardner Minshew replaced the rookie.
If Richardson’s injury takes him out for more than just the remainder of Sunday’s game, the Colts will likely stick with Minshew as the starter going forward, as he started two games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season before signing with the Colts in the offseason.
Indianapolis also has Sam Ehlinger as their other quarterback on the roster, who started three games for the Colts last season. Obviously, the central hope is that Richardson’s concussion proves to not have sustained effects on the rookie and he can be back as quickly as possible.