Anthony Richardson was lighting up the field this season, but it all took a hit in Week 5. The Indianapolis Colts, standing tall at 4-2, squared off against the Tennessee Titans at the Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. The Colts defended their turf against the Titans, clinching a 23-16 victory. But as they say in the NFL, every battle has its casualties, and this one left the king in tears. 

The Colts’ star QB, Richardson, exited Sunday’s showdown with a right shoulder injury, making it the third time in five weeks that this first-round draft pick has been benched.

Riding the injury rollercoaster: Richardson’s uncertain timetable

The Indianapolis Colts have since given an update on Anthony Richardson’s condition. Following an MRI on Monday, the curtain was pulled back to reveal the damage. It turns out Richardson’s dealing with a grade 3 AC Joint Shoulder strain – a real gridiron gut punch. The NFL’s official social media handle took to X on October 11 to report that Richardson’s now been benched and could be riding the pine for the next four games. However, his absence could stretch from a mere four weeks to a potential eight, depending on the rehab playbook or if he needs to go under the scalpel.

Before his abrupt exit, Richardson was blazing a rookie trail in the league. But with this shoulder saga, the earliest he could make a comeback is Week 10, when he might just rock back onto the field against the New England Patriots, making Frankfurt, Germany, the battleground.

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In the meantime, we’ve got the seasoned QB, Gardner Minshew, stepping up to the line of scrimmage. He clocked in at 11-for-14 with 155 passing yards after Richardson had to take a breather. The Colts may have lost their rookie sensation, but they’ve still got some Minshew Magic up their sleeves.

Dual-threat dilemma: Colts’ Richardson a heat-seeking missile no more

The Colts, who had been going all-in on Richardson’s dual-threat style, were unleashing him like a heat-seeking missile on defenses. Cooking up some QB-designed runs, the Colts were ranked fourth in the NFL as they approached Week 5. But with Richardson now on the mend, the playbook’s got a fresh batch of questions – how to keep their young star from becoming a tackling dummy? With Richardson sidelined and Minshew stepping into the starting spotlight, the Colts called in quarterback Kellen Mond, signing him up for their practice squad while Sam Ehlinger slides into the backup role.

This rookie’s been through the wringer already – it’s the third time he’s been sidelined due to injuries this season. A knee hiccup in the season opener, a concussion in the next game, and now this shoulder shindig. They say you’ve got to pay your dues in the NFL, but this guy’s already racking up quite the tab. As we gear up for Sunday’s gridiron showdown between the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s more than just a game. It’s a battle for the throne in the AFC South. The winner takes the crown!

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