Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis StarWed, December 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM UTC·1 min readINDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is not close to being cleared to return to action after undergoing surgery to repair a broken orbital bone suffered in a freak pregame accident involving a resistance band, coach Shane Steichen said.
Richardson has returned to the team facility, and he has started doing some physical work in the gym but he is not doing football activities yet.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s an eye issue,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “We’re just waiting for that to get clearance. Any time you’re dealing with an eye, you want to make sure he’s got full vision in that eye. He’s resting it right now.”
Richardson has been on injured reserve for seven weeks.
Indianapolis has installed rookie quarterback Riley Leonard in Richardson’s place as the backup, and the Colts have veteran Brett Rypien on the practice squad. Until Richardson is able to start doing football work, the backup quarterback situation will stay that way.
“(Richardson's) just doing some stuff in the weight room right now, getting back into it,” Steichen said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Colts haven’t ruled out the possibility of Richardson returning this season.
At the same time, it is not a certainty he will be back before the end of the year.
“We’re hopeful for that,” Steichen said. “He’s just resting his eye right now. When that time comes, I’ll let you guys know.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Anthony Richardson injury update: Colts QB hasn't started football yet
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