In a major boost for the Indianapolis Colts, star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is set to make his highly anticipated return to the starting lineup this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The electrifying dual-threat signal-caller has missed the past two games with an oblique injury suffered in Week 4, forcing veteran Joe Flacco into action.
Richardson’s Promising Start
Before his injury setback, Richardson had been showing flashes of the tantalizing potential that made him the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Florida Gator’s rare blend of arm strength, accuracy, and game-breaking speed added an explosive new dimension to the Colts’ offense.
In his first four starts, Richardson compiled impressive numbers for a rookie quarterback:
- 920 passing yards
- 6 passing touchdowns
- 310 rushing yards
- 3 rushing touchdowns
His playmaking ability was on full display in a thrilling Week 3 comeback win over the Titans, where he accounted for over 400 total yards and 4 touchdowns. Performances like that quickly established the 6’4″, 240-pound Richardson as one of the most captivating young stars in the league.
Overcoming Inconsistency
Of course, Richardson’s rookie campaign hasn’t been without growing pains. Like many young quarterbacks, he has struggled at times with turnovers and erratic decision-making. Through four games, he has tossed 5 interceptions and lost 3 fumbles.
“It’s all part of the learning process,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said of Richardson’s early mishaps. “Anthony has such incredible gifts, but he’s still developing his feel for the pro game. The game reps and film study will only accelerate his growth. We have complete confidence in his trajectory.”
Steichen and the Colts are banking on Richardson’s rare talent winning out in the long run. And after two weeks on the sidelines watching Flacco guide the offense, the 22-year-old is eager to put those hard-earned lessons into practice.
Reigniting the Ground Game
In addition to getting their franchise QB back, the Colts are hoping Richardson’s return can help jumpstart a rushing attack that has stalled in his absence. After averaging a robust 132 yards per game on the ground in Weeks 1-4, Indy has mustered just 90 rushing yards per contest the last two weeks.
Some of that drop-off can be attributed to the continued absence of star running back Jonathan Taylor, who will miss his third straight game Sunday with an ankle injury. But there’s no question that Richardson’s unique skills as a runner and designed QB run threat put immense strain on opposing defenses.
“Having a weapon like Anthony really stresses teams horizontally and vertically,” Colts offensive coordinator Adam Duvall explained. “They have to account for him on every snap, which lightens the box and creates huge lanes for our backs. It’s such a valuable component for our offensive system.”
With veteran Phillip Lindsay and preseason phenom Jake Funk handling the backfield duties again this week, Richardson’s presence should provide a much-needed boost in the trenches. Establishing the run will be critical to keeping Miami’s explosive offense on the sidelines.
A Pivotal Matchup
Sunday’s clash with the 4-2 Dolphins carries major implications in a suddenly wide-open AFC playoff picture. A win would pull the 3-3 Colts within a half-game of the division-leading Titans and give them a key head-to-head tiebreaker over a chief Wild Card competitor in Miami.
Richardson will have his hands full against a swarming Dolphins defense that ranks Top 10 in most major categories and boasts game-wreckers like Jevon Holland and Jaelan Phillips. Protecting the football and making smart decisions under duress will be key to avoiding negative plays.
“This is a huge test for our entire team,” Richardson acknowledged. “But it’s the kind of challenge I live for. I’m ready to cut it loose and show what I can do. It’s going to take all of us playing at our best, but I feel like we’re ready to put it all together.”
If the Colts are to keep pace in the AFC postseason chase, they’ll need their precocious franchise quarterback to continue his rapid maturation under fire. Anthony Richardson has already shown he belongs on the NFL stage – now it’s time to see if he can take the next step and lead his team to playoff contention. Sunday in Miami will be the first of many proving grounds to come.
