The Indianapolis Colts may not get quarterback Anthony Richardson back until next year due to a strained shoulder, according to the NFL Network.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is “strongly considering” undergoing shoulder surgery that would end his season, the report said.
Richardson, 21, suffered a damaged AC joint and has gotten multiple opinions on the next course of action on his throwing shoulder.
The joint is not torn, so rehab may have been an option for the Grade 3 strain.
Still, Richardson is on injured reserve, which means he has to miss at least four games, with Gardner Minshew taking over at the starting spot.
It’s the latest QB issue for the Colts, who have been unable to find a permanent replacement for Andrew Luck after he retired shortly before the 2019 season.
Richardson has played in four games as a rookie out of Florida, passing for 577 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 136 yards and four touchdowns.
He already missed a Week 3 win over the Ravens in Baltimore due to concussion symptoms after leaving a Week 2 road win over the Texans early.
Minshew, the 27-year-old former Jaguars starter who spent the past two years as an Eagles backup, is 57-for-83 with 553 yards and two touchdowns this season.