Baltimore – Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. was hit hard by an unblocked defender while securing the football during the team’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, resulting in a dislocated pinky finger. The injury occurred with 7:33 left in the first quarter when linebacker David Ojabo delivered the blow. Medical staff quickly realigned Richardson’s finger, but he had to leave the game early, ending his night and impacting his ongoing competition for the starting quarterback role against veteran Daniel Jones.
Richardson described the moment as unusual, noting that after getting hit, he looked down and saw his pinky bent at nearly a 90-degree angle, signaling immediate trouble. Despite some swelling and discomfort, he expressed optimism about recovery, stating, “It’s going to be a little more that morning, but I’m fine.” Before the injury, Richardson had completed two of three passes for 21 yards, but the early exit cut short his opportunity to showcase progress and build momentum in training camp.
Head coach Shane Steichen had intended to split playing time between Richardson and Jones in the preseason to evaluate both quarterbacks. With Richardson’s injury and limited playtime, Steichen remains unsure how to proceed and may lean on Jones, who completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards that night, to carry more of the load moving forward.
Richardson admitted he did not expect Ojabo’s blitz, though he understands the need to improve his awareness in pass protection. He tested his ability to throw after the injury but felt limited, saying he was just trying to gauge how he felt. The quarterback has a history of injuries, having missed significant time as a rookie due to multiple ailments, including shoulder surgery, and last season he was sidelined for four games amid inconsistent performance, which led to the Colts adding Jones during the offseason.
In other injury news for the Colts, third-round pick and cornerback Justin Walley suffered a torn ACL during training camp practice and will miss the entire season. Coach Steichen highlighted the setback as significant, praising Walley’s strong camp and man coverage skills prior to the injury.
Fan Take: This injury to Anthony Richardson is a crucial development in the Colts’ quarterback battle, possibly shifting momentum toward Daniel Jones. NFL fans should watch closely as it not only affects the Colts’ season but also underscores the physical risks young QBs face in proving themselves at the professional level.
