Anthony Richardson's pursuit of the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback job has encountered a snag.
The third-year signal-caller is dealing with a shoulder injury and will not participate in the team's minicamp next week, head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Thursday.
Richardson sustained an injury in his throwing shoulder last week during organized team activities, according to Steichen.
"Doctors, trainers checked it out," Steichen said. "He's got some aggravation in his AC joint. So we're gonna sit him out this week. Obviously, he'll sit out for minicamp. We'll see when he comes back. Not gonna put a timetable for training camp on it, but when he does come back, we'll ease him into throwing, and then we'll go from there. The good thing is he's not gonna need a procedure right now."
Richardson's career has been marred by injuries. He played just four games in his rookie season before a shoulder injury required season-ending surgery, and when he returned in 2024, an oblique injury forced him out of two games. The former first-round pick also struggled with accuracy issues in his sophomore campaign, finishing with a 47.7 completion percentage on 264 attempts.
Richardson was briefly benched last season for veteran Joe Flacco, and the Colts signed Daniel Jones in March as veteran competition.
Jones' arrival has increased the level of urgency for Richardson to prove he can become the franchise quarterback the Colts expected him to become when they drafted him fourth overall in 2024.
The two are expected to compete for the starting job in training camp, a battle that is now complicated by Richardson's shoulder ailment.
"Obviously, it's frustrating, but he is in good spirits," Steichen said. "So we're working through it right now."
Jones will receive more minicamp reps in Richardson's absence, giving him an advantage in their looming summer battle. Indianapolis won't explore adding another quarterback as of now, Steichen said, and the coach added Richardson was "making really good progress" prior to the injury.
That progress has been halted by Richardson's latest injury, a product of "stress over time throwing," according to Steichen. Richardson will get the next month or two to get right with the hopes he can challenge for the job ahead of a pivotal 2025 season.