Colts' Anthony Richardson talks injuries ahead of return vs. Rams

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson brushed off the physical setbacks he's endured early into his NFL career after he cleared the NFL's concussion protocol in time to start this Sunday's home game versus the 1-2 Los Angeles Rams. 

"The injuries I've gotten so far, it's nothing major," Richardson insisted while speaking with reporters on Friday, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. "I banged my knee on the turf. Everybody gets hurt on turf. And then I hit my head on the ground. I don't think I should change the way I play. I think I play smart enough to know when to get down."

Richardson took a hit to his knee in the closing minutes of the Week 1 31-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following that game, Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence told Richardson he had to better protect himself because "the hits add up in this league, and they're a little different than in college." The 21-year-old then suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Week 2 31-20 win over the Houston Texans and missed last Sunday's 22-19 overtime victory at the Baltimore Ravens. 

Veteran Gardner Minshew completed 27 of 44 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown in the win against the Ravens. Per ESPN stats, Minshew began Friday ranked ninth in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with a 61.4 adjusted QBR on the season. While some have suggested Minshew should remain in the lineup until he plays himself out of the job, Richardson is back atop the depth chart ahead of the first Sunday of October. 

"Last week was a little rough for me," Richardson admitted. "I love football and couldn't go out there with the team, so it was eating me up inside. But I'm excited to be back."

Richardson's emotions aside, availability remains the most important ability as it pertains to his short-term future. Unless he quickly learns to avoid hits and live to fight another down and day, Minshew will be needed for more than a temporary fill-in role this fall.