Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. suffered a dislocated pinkie on his throwing hand during Thursday night’s 24-16 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The injury occurred after he was sacked by unblocked linebacker David Ojabo just over seven minutes into the first quarter.
As Richardson secured the ball, he noticed his pinkie bent at an unnatural angle. Team medical staff immediately reset the dislocation, but Richardson was ruled out for the rest of the game, cutting short what was expected to be a key performance in his quarterback competition with veteran Daniel Jones.
Richardson’s Injury Clouds Colts Quarterback Plans After Promising Start and Early Exit
Following the game, Richardson downplayed the severity of the injury, saying the finger was swollen and tender but expressing optimism about his recovery. “It’ll be a little bit more so in the morning,” he remarked, “but I’ll be good.”
Despite his reassurance, the injury ended his night prematurely after completing two of his first three passes for 21 yards. This shortened outing was disappointing, especially since it came after promising showings in training camp and a joint practice earlier in the week against the Ravens.
Anthony Richardson (NFL)Head coach Shane Steichen had initially planned for Richardson to play most of the first half, giving Jones an equal opportunity in the next game against the Green Bay Packers. With Richardson exiting early and Jones completing 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards, Steichen admitted uncertainty about how to balance reps going forward.
The quarterback battle remains unresolved, and Richardson’s health could force the Colts to reconsider their preseason evaluation plans.
Richardson Caught Off Guard by Blitz as Colts Lose Rookie Cornerback to Injury
Richardson acknowledged he misread the defensive setup, failing to anticipate Ojabo’s blitz due to the five-man protection scheme that lacked additional blockers. He explained that he expected a nickel corner blitz but was caught off guard by pressure from the opposite side. After the injury, he tested his grip and throwing capability but noted limited effectiveness. “I was able to a little bit, but not [to] the best of my ability,” he admitted.
In a further setback for the Colts, head coach Steichen confirmed a season-ending ACL injury for rookie cornerback Justin Walley. A third-round pick and training camp standout, Walley was expected to be the team’s third cornerback.
The injury, suffered during Tuesday’s practice, severely impacts the team’s already thin secondary. “A huge blow,” Steichen said, highlighting Walley’s strong man-coverage skills and consistent performance in camp before the injury occurred.
