Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson has been placed on injured reserve with a broken orbital bone he sustained while getting ready for Sunday’s game against Arizona.
The injury occurred when a pole that Richardson had wrapped an elastic stretch band around snapped and hit him in the face during a warmup stretch routine, according to multiple media reports.
This left Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, with severe swelling that led to temporary vision impairment, although it’s been reported that there isn’t believed to be any damage to his eye.
Richardson, 23, battled through injuries to start 15 games over his first two seasons with the Colts. He has 2,400 career passing yards with 11 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 634 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs over 17 games.
He’s been replaced this season by Daniel Jones, who’s thrown for 1,502 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while leading Indianapolis to a 5-1 record and an AFC South leaad six weeks into the season.
Richardson is required to miss at least the next four games after going on IR. Rookie Riley Leonard had been serving as the Colts’ emergency third quarterback, but was promoted to the active roster Sunday and is currently the team’s backup behind Jones.
Indianapolis also announced Monday that it had signed safety Reuben Lowery off waivers from Baltimore. Lowery, an undrafted rookie, has appeared in three games and made one start for the Ravens this season, recording five tackles.
The Colts are on the road Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (4-2).
