INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson dropped back to pass Wednesday, rolled to his left to evade pressure and launched the football down the sideline. Tight end Kylen Granson took care of the rest, contorting his body to catch a pinpoint pass from the Indianapolis Colts’ starting QB while trying to keep his feet in bounds. Indy’s defense claimed he didn’t. The offense believed he did. The refs had the final say, ruling the highlight-reel play a catch.
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Granson gleefully cheered as he returned to the huddle, while several defensive players twisted their faces in disgust. This play during 7-on-7 drills will become a faint memory as Indianapolis pushes on through OTAs, but for now, it represents so much more than bragging rights.
It represents the future and what it could look like with a healthy Richardson back in action.
“I started (throwing again) in February and that was even two months ahead (of schedule),” Richardson said. “They told me around the third week of March that I could start ripping it. They were just trying to see how my arm took it each time that I advanced the yards. … I was throwing like 20-25 yards, and now I feel like myself again, throwing 60-plus.”
Richardson sustained a severe AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder in Week 5 of last year and underwent season-ending surgery in October. This week marked his official return to on-field team activities, and Wednesday proved to be extra special. Richardson celebrated his 22nd birthday by doing the one thing he was largely robbed of as a rookie: Playing football.
Anthony Richardson proof of life #Colts pic.twitter.com/1CQsiOXTbI
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 22, 2024
The joy the second-year pro exuded was palpable. He danced to the blaring music while stretching, spun the ball around on the ground to celebrate imaginary touchdowns in between throwing drills and high-fived anyone within arm’s reach using the same arm he couldn’t raise for months.
“I’m blessed to be here,” Richardson said.
Now that he’s healthy again, the QB dismissed any notion that he needs to change his dual-threat playing style to remain available. Richardson described his injury last year as unlucky rather than unwise.
“I don’t think there’s any way I could’ve avoided what happened to me. Just a regular, routine tackle,” Richardson said. “I tried to brace myself for the fall and my shoulder just did what it did. … People see me, I’m a big quarterback, so they always think, ‘He wants to run the ball. He wants to be physical, and that is what’s going to get him hurt.’ That’s not the case.”
Five and dime. 🪙 pic.twitter.com/egvaL6iGT9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 21, 2024
Colts coach Shane Steichen expected Richardson to be a little rusty during OTAs, evidenced by a late throw across the middle that was picked off by second-year safety Daniel Scott in 7-on-7. But through the first two days, Steichen said Richardson has “been pretty smooth.” His throw to Granson may have been his best one yet.
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“Those are big plays. Anytime you can get out of the pocket, he creates those (opportunities) as we know,” Steichen said. “But to have that throw where it was, the touch he threw it with, and the catch was incredible by Granson to get two feet in the ground and make that catch. Those will be big plays for us this year.”
The Colts haven’t put any restrictions on Richardson, though they are monitoring his recovery. Richardson said there are days when his shoulder feels amazing and others when he realizes, “Dang, my shoulder’s a little achy.” The QB isn’t worried about his occasional soreness as his body readjusts to moving at game speed.
In addition to his recovery, Richardson said he’s become a lot more comfortable in the offense, and he’s eager to display everything he’s learned when it matters most. Last year, he scored seven touchdowns in four games, but he was forced to watch from the sideline as his close friend, C.J. Stroud, and the Texans ended the Colts’ season.
He doesn’t plan to experience that again when Indianapolis hosts Houston in Week 1.
“(I’m) just studying all of the time,” Richardson said. “Coming here early in the morning meeting with Shane, that’s something I take pride in because if I know the offense inside and out like Shane does, then I think we’re gonna be unstoppable.”
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson throwing downfield. pic.twitter.com/MXnokf2mA2
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 22, 2024
Michael Pittman Jr. avoids major injury
Practice was stopped and soon after, the music was, too. The field had suddenly gone quiet.
Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts’ newly paid top wide receiver, was down on the ground writhing in pain. Moments before, he had been tracking a ball thrown by Richardson near the sideline when he collided with second-year cornerback Jaylon Jones. The nasty hit elicited the worst thoughts as Richardson, Steichen and GM Chris Ballard came to check on Pittman.
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Team trainers examined Pitman’s left knee before he finally stood up and limped inside. His day was obviously over, but what about his season?
“He just bumped knees out there on a play,” Steichen said. “I don’t have a full update, but he should be fine.”
Steichen’s assessment was a best-case scenario for Pittman, who has become the focal point of the Colts’ passing game. He totaled a career-high 109 catches for 1,152 yards in 2023 to become just the fourth player in franchise history to notch 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season (joining Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison Sr. and Dallas Clark).
Pittman may have to share the wealth more this season as Josh Downs tries to build on his impressive rookie campaign and Alec Pierce looks to make a bigger downfield impact with Richardson back in the fold. Second-round pick Adonai Mitchell will compete for touches as well.
GO DEEPERAlec Pierce vs. Adonai Mitchell highlights key Colts position battles to watch this summer“It’s fun and it’s exciting. Every week we’ll have things (planned) for every single guy,” Steichen said. “You guys have heard me say this before, but one week, Pitt might catch 10 (passes), AD, Alec and Downs may catch three or four, and then the next week it might flip to another guy. So, you just gotta be selfless, those guys. But as far as the scheme goes, it’s exciting to have a whole bunch of guys who you can do a whole bunch of different things with.”
No distractions for Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor lined up to the left of Richardson in the backfield, took the handoff on a zone read and burst into the second level. As Richardson ran to the right, he was thrown a different football by a team staffer, and he accelerated effortlessly around the edge.
The drill was simple, but the moment was not.
Colt's QB Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor getting some work in at OTAs 👀
Richardson and Taylor only played two snaps together last season…
🎥 @RomeovilleKidpic.twitter.com/X28HzqEwhI
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) May 22, 2024
Last year, Taylor and Richardson never shared the field during the offseason. Taylor was injured and unhappy all summer amid a contract dispute. When he finally returned in Week 5, healthier and wealthier after inking a lucrative extension, he played with Richardson for just two snaps before Richardson’s rookie season was cut short due to injury.
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Taylor believes the continuity they’re building this offseason will be vital for their growth as a duo and the entire offense in 2024.
“We do have a young dynamic group,” Taylor said. “ … It’s gonna be about getting those big reps together, knowing how everyone plays, how everyone is thinking, but also just having that feel.”
Taylor missed seven games last year due to ankle and thumb injuries, but he ended the 2023 campaign with season-highs in carries (30) and rushing yards (188), including a 49-yard TD run, in Indy’s narrow Week 18 loss to Houston. Taylor felt like he turned a corner in the season finale after beginning the year on the PUP list, and he’s grateful to not be rehabbing like he was at this time last year. Taylor’s new contract also kicks in this season, and while he didn’t bring it up, he’s probably grateful to not be fighting for a new deal either.
Rookie makes big play
The Colts believed Jaylon Carlies, who was a starting safety at Missouri, would be better suited as a linebacker in the NFL. So far, the fifth-round pick is proving his new team right.
Indianapolis backup QB Joe Flacco tried to sneak a pass in across the middle over Carlies in 7-on-7 Wednesday, and Carlies made him pay with an acrobatic interception. Steichen thinks Flacco made the right decision, but Carlies simply made a better play.
“I ain’t going to lie, (I’d have) threw it right there, too,” Steichen said. “ … I said, ‘Holy smokes.’ That was a hell of a play by him. But the athleticism, the explosiveness, a lot to learn obviously with any young player, learning the defense and stuff, but you can see his ability.”
Injury updates
Jelani Woods, who missed last year due to nagging hamstring injuries, had a strong showing in Wednesday’s OTAs with several catches during team drills. He is Indy’s most versatile tight end and has a realistic shot to become the team’s No. 1 option if he steps up this summer.
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“(You) see how long he is and how he can run (and the) different things you can do with him,” Steichen said. “It’s good to have him back out there.”
Fellow tight end Drew Ogletree returned to action as well after being removed from the commissioner’s exempt list. Cornerback Dallis Flowers, who tore his Achilles in Week 4 last year, also practiced.
Right tackle Braden Smith and wide receiver Ashton Dulin did not practice. Dulin is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained during training camp last year, while Smith underwent knee surgery this offseason.
(Photo of Richardson: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
James Boyd is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering the Indianapolis Colts. Before joining The Athletic, James was the Indiana Pacers beat writer for The Indianapolis Star. James is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and grew up in Romeoville, Illinois. Follow James on Twitter @romeovillekid
