INDIANAPOLIS – Absent first-hand, eyes-on evidence, we’ll defer to the video and teammate observations.
And recent video regarding Anthony Richardson is encouraging.
The Indianapolis Colts’ second-year quarterback still is in rehab mode following Oct. 24 surgery to repair a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
That, it should be noted, is his business shoulder.
In a pair of recent short videos posted by the team, Richardson is throwing effortlessly during the Colts’ offseason program. In one from Monday, he takes a five-step drop and lofts a pass to Michael Pittman Jr.
We should get used to that pitch-and-catch combo.
But back to what’s important.
And that would be every indication is Richardson is at least on schedule, and probably ahead of it as he looks to attack year 2 following an injury-abbreviated rookie season. He’s participating in the workout program, albeit with some level of constraints.
“His shoulder is feeling good,’’ coach Shane Steichen said last month. “He should be good to go for practices. He will be out there throwing, but . . . we’ll obviously monitor it, make sure we’re smart with that. He’s in a really good place.’’
The first opportunity for the media to judge for itself is May 22 during organized team activities (OTAs).
It’s not hyperbole to stress the immediate future of the Indianapolis Colts is directly linked to the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft.
And again, the early signs are encouraging. Thus far, Richardson’s teammates like what they’ve seen.
“It’s great,’’ All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson said. “He’s everything you want in a quarterback. Seeing him work around the building and working in silence and then going out there and being a leader. He’s been very on the details and he’s looking good.’’
One video featured the demonstrative side of Richardson. He’s shown playfully shimmying along the goal line before shifting to firing a pass.
“Energy,’’ cornerback Kenny Moore II when asked of what Richardson brings. “Obviously energy that really wasn’t there last year. Obviously he wasn’t in the building.’’
Richardson’s rookie season was reduced to four starts, 173 snaps and 84 pass attempts by a concussion and sprained shoulder. He sustained the shoulder injury Oct. 8 against the Tennessee Titans, was placed on the injured reserve list Oct. 11 and underwent surgery Oct. 24 in Los Angeles.
“Just seeing him in the training room, prepping for practice, prepping for meetings or whatever, just seeing him around,’’ Moore said. “Like it.’’
Wideout Josh Downs is part of Richardson’s draft class: round 3 with the 79th overall pick. They formed a quick bond, and Downs excelled even after Richardson went down. He set a franchise rookie record with 68 receptions.
“AR is excited and I think we’re going to be explosive,’’ Downs said, adding Richardson is “a lot more comfortable’’ heading into year 2.
“(He’s) joking around a lot, taking control of the team. He’s excited to be here. I’m really seeing him grow and mature," Downs said. "I’m getting closer to him each and every day, everybody is. I see a real competitor and a real gamer.’’
Richardson laid the foundation last offseason with minicamps, training camp and the four starts.
Year 2, though, promises to be markedly different.
Now, there’s no question he’s the starting quarterback. That was the expectation 12 months ago, but Steichen didn’t make it official until Aug. 15 when he aligned Richardson over veteran Gardner Minshew II midway through training camp.
Also, now Richardson – and the Colts – will benefit from the young quarterback sharing extended reps with Jonathan Taylor.
That largely was absent in 2023.
Taylor missed the entirety of offseason work and training camp while a) completing rehab from January surgery on his right ankle and b) his wishes for an extension were resolved.
Richardson and Taylor were on the field for just two game snaps; one a 3-yard run by Taylor. Taylor practiced in a full-go setting for the first time Oct. 5 in the days leading up to the week 5 meeting with the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Excluding walkthroughs, there were two full practices, three if you count Saturday prior to the game. Richardson suffered his season-ending shoulder injury in the second quarter against Tennessee.
The value of reps, reps and more reps isn’t lost on Steichen.
“It’s huge. It’s huge,’’ he said. “You guys have heard me, the excitement I’ve got about those two guys along with the rest of our football team. But to get those guys reps in the offseason program and going into training camp and getting a feel for each other in the backfield is going to be critical to our success moving forward.’’
Not surprisingly, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said “it’s good to get him back. He’s got good energy and it’s been good.’’
General Manager Chris Ballard and Steichen have mentioned during the offseason the importance of the offense being more explosive. That’s why so much hinges on the staff’s ability to maximize the big-play potential of Richardson and Taylor.
And that comes from practice reps.
“It’s especially key for running back, quarterback,’’ Cooter said. “We’re working all sorts of different ball handlings, throwing routes and all that stuff that everybody in the league is doing this time of year: Phase 2. But to be able to just sort of hone in on refining the details – alignment, footwork, reads.’’
In 2021, Taylor authored arguably the greatest season by a Colts’ running back: a franchise-record and NFL-leading 1,811 rushing yards, a league-best 2,171 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns.
In four games last season, Richardson passed for 577 yards and three TDs, and finished as the Colts’ fourth-leading rusher with 136 yards and four more TDs.
They could be – need to be – an electric duo.
“It’s exciting,. There’s always these key stats in offensive football. You’ll hear all us coaches harp on protecting the football, turnovers and that type of thing. Explosive plays is right up there. Boy, it might be No. 2. To be able to make explosive plays in this league, it leads to points. Points leads to wins. It’s good for everybody. To have Anthony and JT back there . . . JT has an extensive history with a lot of success," Cooter said.
He’s led the league in rushing. Now we’ve got Anthony where a defense, there might be that mesh on a run play, and is JT going left or is Anthony going right? As a defense, how do you defend that? You’ve got two really explosive players that have a chance to maybe end up with the ball on a run play. How do you defend all that? It is exciting. We are trying to improve our explosiveness around here. We think we have a shot to do that, but we’ve got to put the work in to earn it."
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.