The Colts have received some encouraging news regarding the long-term medical status of starting quarterback Anthony Richardson’s recent back issues.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts believe that starting quarterback Anthony Richardson’s recent back spasms—which cost him the last two games of the 2024 regular season, are not considered a long-term issue.
Rather, their medical staff attributes it to an orthotic walking boot that Richardson wore down the season’s stretch as a medical precaution, which put unnatural stress on his back:
“So, what now? First, the good news: The Colts are confident the back issue is not something that will impede Richardson in the long term,” Holder writes. “The spasms are believed to be related to the use of an orthotic walking boot Richardson had been wearing, which unexpectedly put stress on parts of his back.”
“‘He’s going into the offseason healthy,’ Ballard said.”
“Furthermore, according to multiple sources, Richardson has already resumed throwing in the two weeks since the season ended. He’s also back performing football movements. His offseason training isn’t underway in earnest just yet — that starts in the next couple of weeks — but no lingering issues with the back are anticipated.”
Obviously, that’s at least an encouraging sign for Richardson’s long-term pro prospects.
While the 2nd-year starting quarterback indicated that he has had balky back issues flare up occasionally since the 8th grade, the severity of the recent ones were unprecedented for the Colts young quarterback—ultimately forcing him to miss two more critical starts.
That being said, Richardson still has to prove that he can stay fully healthy for an entire NFL regular season—as he’s made just 15 starts over his first two seasons. He’s suffered a concussion, season-ending shoulder, hip, oblique, back, and wrist injury to begin his pro career during that same span respectively.
Those missed starts are missed playing time that he so desperately needs for his continued growth and development right now—as he lacks experience and meaningful playing reps.
However, it’s at least good to hear that the recent back issues don’t appear to be long-term problems, and that’s he’s already throwing and performing football movements since the Colts’ disappointing 2024 season’s end.
