INDIANAPOLIS — Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered an eye injury while working with a resistance band during his pregame warmup, forcing Indianapolis to declare Richardson inactive for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Richardson suffered an orbital eye fracture and had to be hospitalized, according to Shane Steichen.
Richardson’s injury elevates rookie Riley Leonard to the backup job behind Daniel Jones, and it leaves the Colts with only two quarterbacks available for Sunday’s game.
Richardson, who lost an open competition with Jones for the starting job in training camp, has been Jones’s primary backup all season, playing 14 snaps in mop-up duty against Tennessee and Las Vegas. He has thrown only two passes, getting a deflected completion to himself for nine yards against the Raiders.
Leonard has not played since starting the preseason finale against Cincinnati, a game where he completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Deployed as the team’s No. 3 quarterback, Leonard has spent most of his practice time running the scout team so far.
Richardson, who was the team’s starter for his first two seasons in the NFL, said this week that he remains happy in Indianapolis, even though he is playinga role bheind Jones.
“It’s always amazing,” Richardson said. “I already know Indy loves me. They give me all the support and love that I need. I love being here. I love going out there and hearing them cheer for me. It makes me feel good; it lets me know that I’m doing something right so I can keep working hard and keep going.”
The Colts have given no indication that they plan to trade him with the trade deadline on Nov. 4.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft has appeared in 17 games.
Who is the Colts backup quarterback?
With Richardson inactive, rookie Riley Leonard becomes the backup to Jones. Leonard was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is inactive vs. Arizona Cardinals today; what we know
Reporting by Scott Horner and Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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