One month into his NFL career, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has suffered two significant injuries that have forced him to miss starts. Richardson has flashed the potential to develop into a star, but the rookie is far from that now, and he’s not going to be missed this week.
As a handicapper, it’s rare to prefer the backup quarterback in the starting role, but that’s the case with Gardner Minshew replacing Richardson for Indianapolis on Sunday. This is Minshew’s homecoming game at Jacksonville, where he started his career as a sixth-round draft pick in 2019.
When a concussion kept Richardson sidelined in Week 3, Minshew passed for 227 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ 22-19 overtime win at Baltimore. Minshew has played in five games this season, completing 68.7% of his passes without an interception. Richardson is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and will miss at least the next four weeks.
Indianapolis is Minshew’s team for the near future, and he gives the team the best chance to win. He will be especially motivated to beat his former team, and he’ll get a boost with running back Jonathan Taylor returning to a bigger role in the offense.