Colts Make QB Move After Puzzling Anthony Richardson Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Colts have shocked the NFL world by being one of the best teams in the league.
Backup quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a bizarre injury last week in pregame warmups.
Indianapolis added veteran Brett Rypien to provide relief after Richardson was placed on injured reserve.

The NFL season is now six weeks old and it’s playing out just like everyone expected —with the Indianapolis Colts sitting at the top of the AFC.

There is still a ton of time left for the bottom to fall out, but it’s impossible to get where the Colts stand today without complementary football from all three phases.

However, by far the biggest reason for their current success is quarterback Daniel Jones, who beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job this summer.

The former New York Giants draft pick is doing his best to change the narrative around his name, with 1,502 passing yards and eight touchdowns through six games.

Indianapolis escaped narrowly with a win on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, who were without quarterback Kyler Murray, but it was Richardson who stole the headlines.

The oft-injured passer suffered an orbital fracture in pregame warmups and has been placed on injured reserve.

Sep 8, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) leaves the field Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, after losing a game 29-27 to the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images© Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

In his place, the Colts have signed veteran quarterback Brett Rypien to the practice squad to maintain depth at the position.

The Colts plan to sign veteran quarterback Brett Rypien to the practice squad, per sources.

Rypien, last with Cincinnati, provides depth for Indy's QB room with Anthony Richardson to IR. pic.twitter.com/ynWEqskVTL
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 14, 2025

Indianapolis’ current backup is Riley Leonard, a rookie from Notre Dame, so the team likely made the move to ensure having someone with experience on the roster.

Rypien has been moved around the league at a feverish pace in his young career, with the Colts being his fourth team in three seasons.

He hasn’t had much success at any of his stops, but Indianapolis hopes head coach Shane Steichen can work his magic on Rypien, much like he did with Jones.

The Colts take on the Los Angeles Chargers this week, and unless a catastrophe happens, Rypien won’t see the field. However, they knew they needed some insurance after Richardson’s bizarre injury.

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

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