Anthony Richardson Hospitalized After Bizarre Pregame Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jay Canale | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 4:52 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. sustained an orbital fracture during pregame warmups today and was taken to a local hospital, per Colts beat writer James Boyd.

Richardson has built a reputation as an injury-prone quarterback over the course of his three-year career, but this one is by far the most bizarre. Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen doesn’t have a timeline for Richardson’s injury, but he said rookie quarterback Riley Leonard is the second-string quarterback "right now," making it seem like it won't be a quick fix.

According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Richardson sustained this injury in the locker room while warming up with elastic bands. Holder reports that a close source to Richardson told him the bands were attached to an apparatus, which failed in this instance, causing the band to snap back and hit Richardson forcefully in the face.

This is frustrating news for fans of Richardson, as it’s another case where he suffered a significant midseason injury. In his rookie year, Richardson sustained an A/C joint sprain in his throwing shoulder that ended his season after just five weeks. In his second year, he dealt with a hip injury that sidelined him for one week, followed by back and foot injuries that kept him off the field for Weeks 17 and 18.

Although Richardson has been the backup quarterback behind Daniel Jones this year, this injury seems like it could be the final blow to his time as a Colt, given Jones’ spectacular performance and Richardson's inability to stay on the field.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) says a prayer Monday, July 28, 2025, ahead of training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Where do they go from here?

It seems increasingly likely that Jones will sign a relatively long-term extension after the 2025 season, similar to Sam Darnold's deal, who had a similarly resurgent 2024 season in Minnesota before signing a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

If Indianapolis chooses this route, it will likely mark the end of Richardson's time with the team. When franchises have multiple quarterbacks with real starting experience, fans often push for the backup to get a shot if the starter has an off game. This was the case in Indianapolis last season, involving Joe Flacco and Richardson. Because the Colts’ decision-makers had that negative experience just a season ago, it seems likely that they will avoid a similar situation by either cutting or trading Richardson.

There have been some examples of quarterbacks turning their careers around after spending a few seasons as backups, with Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith as recent cases. However, after this new injury and Jones’s high-level play, it seems the chances of Richardson doing the same with the Colts are slim to none.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: