INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, another sign that the team's young starter is trending toward returning to the lineup against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Richardson has not missed a practice since suffering an injury to his right hip/oblique, but he has been listed as a full participant only once. Indianapolis listed Richardson as a full participant last Thursday, then pulled him back to limited participation on Friday and held him out of Sunday's game.
“It is a little tough because everybody wants to play football," Richardson said. "So that's kind of sad when that's taken away from us, but it's all part of the journey. I'm trusting the staff, trusting the team and hopefully this week I’m out there.”
The cards might finally be landing in Richardson's favor.
Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that Richardson would return to the lineup this week, provided he did not have a setback.
“Because he’s a guy that touches the ball on every play, and it’s a long season — we’re in Week 6 — wanted to make sure he’s 100% before he goes back out there," Steichen said.
Richardson believes he's in a much better spot this week.
"I'm able to move better, without any worries," Richardson said. "Just confident in all of the movements, throwing the ball – confident with that. Then just running around out there practicing, I'm confident with all that. So, I'd probably say that's the biggest difference.”
Richardson has been knocked out of four of his eight starts in the NFL, always because of a hit at the end of a running play. The 22-year-old suffered a bruised knee in his NFL debut, a concussion against the Texans, a season-ending shoulder injury against the Titans last season and now the hip.
Injuries have been a persistent part of Richardson's career.
The Colts believe Richardson's track record to this point isn't as much of an outlier as it seems.
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"You look at all these quarterbacks that have played for a long time, they have went through something at some point in their career," Steichen said. "The longevity, staying healthy is part of it.”
Indianapolis has been concerned about Richardson making the injury worse, missing more time than he's already been forced to miss in his first two seasons.
“You want to have a long career in this league," Steichen said. "If you look around this league, obviously, there are some guys. … I’ve been around a guy that’s started 225 games at quarterback, 230 games, in (Philip) Rivers, that was a warrior, but that’s rare. That doesn’t happen a lot of times.”
Steichen actually shorted Rivers a bit.
The Chargers and Colts legend started 252 consecutive games, playing through a torn ACL in an AFC Championship Game, a painful back injury, a difficult toe injury and a myriad of other ailments.
With a player like Rivers as an example, Steichen was asked if Richardson needs to learn to play through pain.
“I think it depends on the injury," Steichen said. "He’s a guy that can run around and make plays; Philip was a pocket passer. We worked through those things, and as you get older, feeling your body more.”
Richardson said he hasn't been 100 percent since the first game, noting that it's probably true for most of the players in the NFL.
As long as he can move well, Richardson is ready to get back on the field.
“You’ve just got to be smart," Richardson said. "I mean of course, with injuries, you're always liable to re-damage and get injured again, but sometimes you’ve just got to be like, ‘I don't care’ because sometimes the team needs you out there. Like I said, if you're able to do it without any major setbacks, then why not try to do it?”
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Anthony Richardson stats
Through Week 6
39-of-77 (50.6%), 654 yards, 3 touchdowns, 6 interceptions; 4 sacks; 21 carries, 141 yards (6.7 per), 1 TD
Anthony Richardson contract
Anthony Richardson is in the second year of a four-year rookie contract. He counts $7.725 million toward the Colts salary cap this season. The 4-year contract totals almost $34 million.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Anthony Richardson injury update: Colts QB a full participant in Wednesday's practice
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