Colts' Anthony Richardson Placed on IR After Being Hospitalized with Eye Injury

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was placed on injured reserve after suffering an orbital fracture, which led him to be hospitalized on Sunday.

ESPN's Stephen Holder previously reported that Richardson could miss multiple games due to the injury.

Richardson was a late scratch for Sunday's 31-27 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He was warming up before the game when "a pole that he had affixed an elastic stretch band to snapped," per Holder.

Holder reported Richardson was "badly injured" and developed swelling that impaired his division.

Strictly from a football perspective, this is a massive setback for the 2023 first-round pick.

Daniel Jones beat him out for the No. 1 job to kick off the season, and Jones' performance only added to the general uncertainty over Richardson's future in Indianapolis. Jones has thrown for 1,502 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions with the Colts off to a 5-1 start.

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General manager Chris Ballard signaled in August that the team had no intention of trading Richardson. A swap at least looked more plausible based on how the opening month unfolded.

If Richardson is sidelined for multiple games, then it effectively rules out a move prior to the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

In general, the 23-year-old badly needs playing time in order to further his career progression. A major eye injury means he wouldn't be getting that with the Colts or elsewhere in 2025.