Indianapolis

Colts

Richardson reportedly met with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who believes the 23-year-old quarterback should be ready for training camp with “rest and recuperation.” Rapoport says the Colts “want health, and a real competition at quarterback, and it sounds like they’ll get it.” Richardson, apparently, still has a chance to claim the starting role over newcomer Daniel Jones. Hopefully, the rehab process goes smoothly for him. Richardson can score fantasy points with the best of them when healthy.

Downs missed some of OTAs with what the Colts called a “soft tissue injury” without providing any specifics. He appears no worse for the wear and is back at it as the Colts begin minicamp.

“The good thing is, he’s not going to need a procedure right now,” Steichen continued. Richardson’s second opinion with Neal ElAttrache looked to conclude that the quarterback should continue to rest and rehab the shoulder. We’re skeptical that Richardson won’t eventually end up under the knife — that’s just not how second opinions usually work out. But if you take the Colts at their word, we should expect Richardson to instead merely be well behind Daniel Jones in the quarterback competition by the time he’s ready to throw in training camp.

ElAttrache is the surgeon that performed the surgery on Richardson’s throwing shoulder in 2023 and is not a name Colts fans want to hear in the news regarding their quarterback. It was previously reported that no structural damage was found after a scan on his shoulder was performed Friday, but any lingering inflammation and soreness almost two years after surgery is noteworthy and frightening. The team does not believe he will require another surgery at this time. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes there’s “a very good chance” that Daniel Jones is the Colts starter in Week 1.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson was not expected to undergo surgery on his shoulder. However, Fowler adds that Richardson underwent a scan on his shoulder that revealed no structural damage. Per Fowler, Richardson has thrown, at times, 100-plus passes a day as he prepares for his quarterback competition with Daniel Jones. The shoulder injury, while inconvenient, appears to be mostly inflammation that should subside with time, allowing for a return to training camp with rest and relaxation. Already considered by some to be the odd man out when this summer’s battle concludes, this early injury won’t do anything to help Richardson gain an inside edge on Jones, who was already splitting starter reps in OTAs.

Per Chappell, Pittman “bumped knees” while running a route and is “sore but ok.” It sounds like Pittman is just dealing with a contusion of some sort, and he should be good to go in a week or so. Assuming you can stomach the risk of what increasingly looks likely to be Daniel Jones at quarterback, Pittman should be okay to select in best ball for now.

It’s hard to draw a conclusion on this one. Given the time of year, it makes sense for a player to leave practice as a precaution, should any minor tweak occur. Pittman is also tough as nails, having played through much of last season with a fracture in his back. There is no reason to panic at this time, though Pittman’s health is worth monitoring closely.

Richardson aggravated the AC joint in his throwing shoulder, which he had surgery on in 2023. Per Steichen, he won’t undergo surgery at this time. Steichen said he expects Richardson back “at some point” in training camp. CBS’ Jonathan Jones reports Richardson should be ready for camp. It’s a nightmare scenario for the young passer. On top of the obvious risk that the injury becomes a long-term issue, Richardson missing crucial reps in the offseason will put him behind the eight ball to win the starting job. Daniel Jones has to be considered the favorite to start Week 1 at this point, making Richardson undraftable in most fantasy formats.

Steichen said he will flip-flop the reps between his quarterbacks and reiterated that it’s an “open competition” for the starting gig. Nothing here is breaking news. The Colts have used the “open competition” phrase previously, and Steichen already said he plans for both quarterbacks to get equal time with the starters throughout the offseason. Still, it’s important to note that the coaches are sticking to the party line so far, even if the front office would likely prefer Richardson to be the starter. Richardson is an elite fantasy option when under center, but the leash will be incredibly short if he struggles early. That is, of course, if he even beats out Jones for the job ahead of Week 1.