Anthony Richardson Injury Update on Timeline to Return After Philip Rivers, Colts Loss

The Indianapolis Colts may soon have another option at quarterback following the signing of 44-year-old Philip Rivers.

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Anthony Richardson has reportedly been "cleared medically" from the orbital fracture he suffered on Oct. 12 and "the hope is to have him back practicing in the near future."

Richardson lost the quarterback competition this offseason to Daniel Jones and it appeared the Colts made a wise decision, as Jones was 8-5 as the starter and threw for 3,101 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions before a torn Achilles ended his 2025 season.

The 23-year-old Richardson, meanwhile, only made two brief appearances this season before suffering an orbital fracture in a pregame incident.

As ESPN's Stephen Holder reported in October, the young quarterback was "hospitalized after a pole that he had affixed an elastic stretch band to snapped during his pregame routine, resulting in the pole forcefully impacting his face. ... The bands are used by all of the Colts quarterbacks in the same manner before all practices and games. When used on the field, the bands are often tied to the goal posts. But Sunday's incident occurred in the locker room, where the stretching routine sometimes takes place."

It's unclear if Richardson will see the field again this year. The Colts have yet to designate him for return from injured reserve and would have a three-week window to activate him if they do so. With only three games remaining in the regular season—and the 8-6 Colts currently two games out of first place in the AFC South and one game behind the Houston Texans for the final Wild Card berth—his window for practicing or playing is shrinking.

The Colts have Rivers in place and head coach Shane Steichen already confirmed that he'll start next Monday's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran quarterback returned to the field for the first time since the 2020 season and finished 18-of-27 for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 18-16 loss over the Indianapolis Colts.

It appeared he had led the Colts to a late, game-winning field goal on Sunday, though the Seahawks quickly responded with one of their own to steal the win. Barring injury, it seems likely that Rivers will remain the starter for the remainder of the season.