Anthony Richardson's impressive start to NFL career being ruined by fresh injury
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has suffered yet another injury setback just weeks into his debit NFL season..
Richardson was drafted with the fourth overall pick in April’s NFL Draft and has impressed with a modern athletic game that looks tailor-made for the NFL.
However, the quarterback has already spent a number of occasions needing assessment from the medical team.
On Sunday, in the 23-16 win for the Colts against the Tennessee Titans, Richardson was forced to leave the field with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter. It was suspected at the time that the 21-year-old had sustained a shoulder injury.
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Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super BowlRichardson was carted off the field and assessed by the Colts medical team at Lucas Oil Stadium. The young quarterback did not return to the game, with back-up QB Gardner Minshew stepping in to see out the remainder of the contest.
It was soon reported that Richardson had been handed an initial diagnosis of sustained a Grade 3 sprain to the AC joint in his right shoulder. However, a fresh report from ESPN has stated that both Richardson and the Colts are still gathering information on the injury.
Richardson is seeking a second opinion on the initial diagnosis of his shoulder injury. It’s been claimed that the quarterback will undergo an MRI scan on his right shoulder, as well as speak to shoulder specialist Dr. Keith Meister in order to get a second opinion.
The early assessment suggests he could be facing between four and six weeks on the sidelines, whch would mean a spell on Injured Reserve and may leave the Colts looking to add to their quarterback room.
An official diagnosis is yet to be confirmed by the Colts and it is not the first injury that Richardson has sustained in his young NFL career.
Despite only playing four games, the quarterback has been forced to exit a game early three times and the missed another through the concussion protocol.
On his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, Richardson was carted off the field after sustaining a suspected knee injury. He returned for Week 2 against the Houston Texans but would be withdrawn after sustaining a concussion.
That ruled him out in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens before he was back in the line-up for the overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where he played the full game for the one and only time this season.
Despite spending time on the sidelines in the early weeks of the season, Richardson has enjoyed a promising start to life in the NFL, which has seen him throw for 597 yards with three touchdown passes and one interception. Adding 136 rushing yards and four of his own scores on the ground.