As the Indianapolis Colts jockey for a playoff spot in the final three weeks, the future of their franchise, quarterback Anthony Richardson, continues to progress, recovering from season-ending surgery.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury on Oct. 8 against the Tennessee Titans that wiped out the bulk of his rookie campaign, Richardson said he was told he could start throwing 16 weeks post-surgery, but he hopes to beat that mark.
"I think I'm progressing way faster than everyone thought," he said on Tuesday during an event at Riley's Children's Hospital, via Mike Chappell of CBS4.
Richardson is eight weeks out from Oct. 24 shoulder surgery, telling reporters he hopes to toss a pigskin in the next month or so.
"They said 16 weeks after the surgery, but hopefully, I'm trying to push to get (back) before that,'' Richardson said. "But we'll see. Hopefully, I can throw next month, but if not, whenever that time does come, I know I'm gonna rip it.''
Richardson got off to a sensational start to his rookie season, proving to be a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, and his process as a passer was ahead of most projections coming out of college. He looked like a star in Shane Steichen's offense early. But injuries were a massive issue.
The rookie QB didn't finish the Week 1 game after taking a big hit, left with a concussion in Week 2, forcing him to miss a game, and then had his season end for good in Week 5.
Richardson said at first, he rejected the idea of having surgery but understood it was best for his long-term future.
"I wanted to play and I wanted to be there for my team,'' he said, "but this was probably the best thing for me and my future and for the team. It allows me to come back healthy, 100 percent.''
Barring a major setback, Richardson should be cleared in time for offseason work, gearing him up for the 2024 campaign. Keeping him healthy next year and beyond will be vital for a franchise that has seen its share of injuries derail the career of talented quarterbacks.
