In return from injury, Colts want Anthony Richardson to protect himself — ‘but only to some degree’

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Anthony Richardson saw pressure coming and recognized the coverage.

He didn’t panic.

He didn’t run for it, either.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback instead checked to a play that head coach Shane Steichen has encouraged him to run against pressure and fired a pass before the play clock expired.

Was this a sign of things to come for the dual-threat quarterback? Responding to pressure only with his arm?

Team owner Jim Irsay says not.

When the Colts selected Richardson fourth overall, they saw his potential as both passer and runner. They wanted to develop arm talent that was raw but tantalizing, while also threatening defenses with the mobility of a quarterback who rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season at Florida.

Is the strategy sustainable?

The question is fair after Richardson’s injury-shortened rookie season, a concussion and surgery-requiring shoulder sprain resulting from his 25 rushing attempts for 136 yards and four touchdowns.

And yet, Irsay doesn’t want Richardson neutralizing his threat.

“We drafted him because we know his feet can be dangerous and pick up critical yards at critical times,” Irsay said. “I think his style is great and we’re really looking forward to him having a great year and throwing and running — certainly more throwing than running.

“Shane talks to him about protecting himself, but only to some degree. You’ve got to play the game and it’s a physical game but one of the reasons we drafted him is because of his size and strength and durability.”

Durability isn’t considered one of Richardson’s calling cards, his injuries also including a shoulder injury as a high school senior and a brain injury and torn meniscus in college.

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

But at training camp this week, he was healthy. He practiced handoffs, keepers and throws alike, finding weapons including rookie Adonai Mitchell.

Richardson was vocal with his receivers, telling them when their route depth…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/in-return-from-injury-colts-want-anthony-richardson-to-protect-himself–but-only-to-some-degree-213218405.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-02 21:32:18

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