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Anthony Richardson's injury history in NFL, college and high school

Anthony Richardson is the second-year quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. The 22-year-old didn't get much playing time as a rookie, suffering injuries in Week 2 (which kept him out the following week) and Week 5 (which ended his season).

His intriguing blend of throwing and running talent — and the threat posed by running back Jonathan Taylor — has led Colts coach Shane Steichen to develop a system that opposing defenses can't handle. But Richardson has battled injuries throughout his career, and his pass completion rate has been low by today's standards at any level.

The Colts narrowly missed out on the AFC South title in 2023 and are eager to compete for the playoffs with Richardson as the offensive center for a full year.

Anthony Richardson's injury history

Richardson impresses the Colts with his strong arm and running ability. But as the saying goes, the best skill is availableskills, and he was sidelined several times during his playing career.

Anthony Richardson's NFL Injuries

Oct. 8, 2023: A glenohumeral injury in his right shoulder in a Week 5 game requires season-ending surgery.

September 17, 2023: Due to a concussion in a Week 2 game, he had to sit out Week 3 as well.

Anthony Richardson injured in Florida

September 11, 2022: A thigh strain from spring training does not keep him off the field.

November 27, 2021: A torn meniscus sustained in the game against Florida State leads to a surgery in December 2021 that ends the season for him.

Oct. 30, 2021: Due to a concussion sustained against Georgia, he is demoted to emergency QB the following week against South Carolina.

Anthony Richardson's injuries at high school

Richardson has said he had knee problems at Loften High School in Gainesville, Florida.

Who is the Colts’ backup quarterback?

Joe Flacco and Sam Ehlinger are the Colts' backup quarterbacks behind second-year player Anthony Richardson.

Flacco, 39, signed with the Colts on March 13 after completing his season as the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

After numerous quarterback injuries, Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2023 and excelled in the final five weeks of the regular season, completing 123 of 204 passes (60.3%) for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions as the Browns reached the playoffs.

Cleveland lost to the Houston Texans in the wildcard round, completing 34 of 46 throws for 307 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs.

The Colts are Flacco's fifth team. He played 11 seasons in Baltimore (including one Super Bowl win), three for the New York Jets and one each for Denver and Cleveland.

Ehlinger, 25, is playing his fourth season with the Colts after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has played in eight games and attempted only passes in the 2022 season (64 of 101, 573 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs). He has 96 career rushing yards.

Anthony Richardson's contract

Anthony Richardson has a four-year, $34 million rookie contract that is guaranteed from 2023 to 2026, according to Spotrac. The Colts have an option for the 2027 season.

Here's how much Richardson will count toward the Colts' salary cap through 2026:

2022: 6.18 million US dollars

2024: $7.73 million, 24th among NFL quarterbacks this season

2025: $9.27 million

2026: 10.82 million US dollars

Anthony Richardson's mother, family

As a five-year-old, Anthony Richardson and his mother, LaShawnda Cleare, went from house to house looking for a safe place to sleep. They ended their days with prayers. Anthony learned to say his own prayers while kneeling beside his bed.

“God,” Cleare remembered hearing from his room one night, “let my mommy have a baby.”

The next year, Anthony's wish came true. Cleare gave birth to a boy named Corey, and his older brother just wanted to hold him the day he returned from the hospital. They started inviting relatives to visit, but Anthony met them at the door and shouted, “Hanitize your hands!”

He was still learning how to communicate, but the protective side of him came out as naturally as his athletic talents.

“He would do anything for him,” Cleare said.

Richardson was in fourth grade when his elementary school held a football throwing contest to see who could throw a football the farthest. While the other kids warmed up their arms, Anthony just sat around. Then he threw the ball so far they had to get a golf cart to retrieve it.

A 10-year-old began to sense what was possible for him in this life.

“Seeing him run further than the other kids, never giving up, breaking bones,” Cleare said. “It was always, 'I have to do this, Mom. I have to throw the football. I have to run. I can't stop.'”

Cleare began looking for cities in the north of the state that offered social housing.

The city of Gainesville responded with a letter saying her application had been denied, but the next week the phone rang and a housing manager asked her when she would come to pick up her keys.

And she did.

“I followed God,” she said.

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