Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens. We’ll see if the rookie can get cleared for Week 4. Richardson will be replaced by QB Gardner Minshew, who played well in relief last week and has experience in HC Shane Steichen’s offense from their time together in Philadelphia. Minshew is only a viable play in 2-QB and Superflex leagues, but he should keep this Colts offense afloat.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) remained sidelined on Thursday. He's now looking unlikely to play vs. the Ravens this weekend. That'd leave QB Gardner Minshew under center. Minshew is a capable passer, sporting a career 63% completion rate and 7.1 yards per attempt. And the Colts probably attempt at least a few more passes with Minshew than Richardson. WR Michael Pittman is a nice fantasy WR2 regardless of who's at QB for Indianapolis.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson remains in the concussion protocol and won't practice on Wednesday, HC Shane Steichen said. Richardson will need to be cleared for at least a limited practice on Thursday to have a shot to play vs. the Ravens this weekend. Fantasy owners should have a Week 3 backup option in place. QB Gardner Minshew will start if Richardson can't.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson left Week 2’s game vs. the Texans in the second quarter due to a concussion. Before leaving the contest, he completed 6 passes on 10 attempts for 56 yards and totaled 35 rushing yards with a pair of TDs on the ground. The rookie’s early performance was strong enough that fantasy managers who started Richardson can’t be too concerned about their matchups. We’ll keep an eye on how he progresses through NFL concussion protocol as this coming week unfolds. QB Gardner Minshew (19 completions on 23 attempts, 171 passing yards, 1 TD vs. the Texans) would likely be the Colts’ starter in Week 3 vs. the Ravens if Richardson cannot play.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson left in the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Texans to be checked for a concussion. Stay tuned for an update. QB Gardner Minshew is in for the Colts.
Update: Richardson has been ruled out with a concussion. We'll track his progress through the protocol this coming week.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson is not on the Week 2 injury report. He banged his knee in Week 1 but will be ready for this Sunday's game vs. the Texans.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson bruised his left knee in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars but "will be fine," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. We'll see whether that means Richardson will be ready for a Week 2 visit to Houston. QB Gardner Minshew took over for the final few plays against Jacksonville.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson scored once through the air and once on the ground in the Week 1 loss to Jacksonville. He was solid as a passer, completing 24 of 37 attempts (64.9%) for 223 yards (6.0 YPA), 1 TD, and 1 INT. And he was busy as a rusher, carrying 10 times for 40 yards and the TD. About half of those runs were designed, including the 2-yard score. Richardson became the first rookie in NFL history with 200+ passing yards, 40+ rushing yards, one pass TD, and one rush TD in his debut, according to StatMuse. Expect plenty of these types of stat lines from Richardson this season, which would make him a top-10 fantasy QB. He did leave Sunday's game with about a minute left with a lower-body injury, but HC Shane Steichen said afterward that Richardson is fine.
Colts HC Shane Steichen announced Tuesday morning that they've named QB Anthony Richardson the regular-season starter. It's not a surprising move, but it's noteworthy that Steichen announced it after just one preseason game. Whether that signals more confidence in how far along Richardson already is or just a desire to commit to him earlier doesn't really matter. Richardson also doesn't need to be as "good" at football as most QBs to contribute fantasy value. Even with sack yardage subtracted (per college stat practice), Richardson still averaged 54.5 rushing yards per game across 12 starts in his only full season as Florida's starter. Combine that with a big arm and displayed aptitude for throwing deep, and you have a QB with immediate upside into the top 12. Check our fantasy football QB rankings to see where Richardson lands after this announcement.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson will start Saturday's preseason opener vs. the Bills, HC Shane Steichen said. That's certainly not a bad sign for Richardson's chances of earning the Week 1 starting nod. The rookie has seemingly had more ups than downs in camp so far and remains a high-ceiling fantasy pick.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson had two of his best practices of camp over the weekend, according to The Indianapolis Star's Joel Erickson. “You get repetitions, you do things more and more, and you’re going to get more comfortable,” HC Shane Steichen said. “I think he’s gaining confidence in the system, gaining confidence with his teammates. When you have that, and you have the talent that he has, it’s usually a good thing.” Although not exclusively with the starters, Richardson has been getting lots of first-team work and seemingly has a good chance to win the Week 1 starting job.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson underwent surgery on Sunday to correct his nasal septum, the team announced. Richardson will miss Monday's practice but is expected back on Tuesday. The missed reps for the rookie aren't ideal, but this ultimately figures to be a non-factor when it comes to Richardson's 2023 fantasy outlook.
We knew WR Alec Pierce brought downfield speed when the Colts drafted him in Round 2 last April. His 12.2-yard average depth of target led the team in his rookie campaign. Pierce's 16.8-yard college aDOT says that number could rise even higher. And new QB Anthony Richardson specialized in deep passing as a collegian. According to Pro Football Focus, Richardson ranked 25th among 148 qualifying FBS QBs last year in total deep attempts (20+ yards downfield), 20th in deep-passing grade and 16th in deep-passing yards. We'll see about the pass-run split between the strong-running rookie QB and the new coaching staff. But Pierce is a low-risk option in best ball drafts at his later-round ADP. Read more about him and see where he sits in our 2023 fantasy football rankings.
Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson has already cracked the top 12 QBs in Underdog Fantasy ADP. Drafters are obviously chasing his rushing upside, and he'll need big ground production to deliver for fantasy. There have been seven rookie-QB seasons in NFL history that would have ranked among last year's top 12 QB scores. That group had a median of 34.0 rushing yards per game (578 yards over a 17-game season) and a median of 234.8 passing yards per game. All seven of those rookie QBs averaged at least 213.3 passing yards per game. That would obviously be an easier level for Richardson to reach right away. And he's capable of smashing that 34-yard rushing benchmark. Justin Fields, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts all exceeded 50 rushing yards per game in 2022. Colts owner Jim Irsay recently reiterated that the team won't be scared to play Richardson early. The rookie doesn't sit as high in our 2023 fantasy football rankings as he does in Underdog ADP. But he certainly has the upside to deliver QB1-level production. Read more about his upside (and downside) in our Richardson profile.
Colts owner Jim Irsay hinted on Monday that his team plans to get rookie QB Anthony Richardson on the field early. "We know it’s going to be tough. But he has to play to get better," Irsay said on the Pat McAfee Show. "There’s no question. Gardner [Minshew] could play better early on, him just being a veteran. But we have to get Anthony on the field." Irsay added that HC Shane Steichen will ultimately decide when Richardson takes over as the starter. But Steichen had a similar message back in April, saying, "the development of players comes with more experience." We just bumped Richardson's projection up to 14 games played -- and that might still be conservative. His rushing ability gives him obvious QB1 upside whenever he takes the field.
Colts beat writer Kevin Bowen considers WR Josh Downs “the ideal slot receiver complement.” While Michael Pittman will kick inside some, Downs’ path to playing in 3-WR sets (with Alec Pierce) looks clear. Bowen adds that the rookie showed a “strong early connection” with QB Anthony Richardson, with Downs “easily creating space in those short areas of the field.” Colts area scout Chad Henry shared the same sentiment. “He’s a playmaker,” Henry said of Downs. “We don’t have a whole lot of guys like him. He’s sort of a human chain mover. Good luck covering him in a short area.” Downs missed part of the spring with a knee issue, but all indications suggest it’s minor. Depending on the play of Richardson, Downs could become a deep-league PPR spot starter. For now, though, he’s not someone to circle on your cheat sheet.
Colts WR Michael Pittman got plenty of target and reception volume last season. He finished 16th among WRs in target share and 10th in the league in receptions. But his yardage efficiency tumbled. Pittman's yards per catch fell from 12.3 in 2021 to 9.3, with poor QB play a (the?) primary culprit. His average depth of target fell by more than 2 yards, with QBs Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles all ranking 28th or worse in Pro Football Focus passing grade. Pittman also produced his lowest mark yet, though, in yards after catch per reception. According to PFF, he tied for just 53rd in yards per route and ranked 44th in receiving grade, among 97 WRs with 40+ targets. Pittman did, at least, rank a decent 26th in targets per route, matching his 2021 ranking. Rookie QB Anthony Richardson should be good for Pittman's aDOT. But we'd bet on the WR coming down from last year's 70.2% catch rate. Overall, it's tough to bet on big upside for Pittman from his WR3-level ADP. Read more about the outlook for Indy's lead wideout and see where he lands in our 2023 fantasy football rankings.
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