Anthony Richardson Update: Colts Keep QB on Injured Reserve as Week 15 Nears, Philip Rivers Visit Adds Twist

Anthony Richardson remains sidelined as the Indianapolis Colts navigate a sudden quarterback crisis heading into Week 15. Team officials indicated this week that the former first-rounder has not been cleared to return from an orbital fracture suffered in mid-October, meaning he will not be activated from injured reserve for Sunday’s game. With the depth chart in flux after a season-ending Achilles tear to the starter and a knee issue for the current backup, Indianapolis has explored emergency options, including a workout visit from veteran Philip Rivers.

Where Anthony Richardson stands now

The update places Richardson’s comeback on hold for at least another week. The injury—sustained in a freak pregame incident involving exercise bands prior to Week 6—has required rest and careful evaluation. The club has emphasized the delicacy of an eye injury and the need for specialists to sign off before any return to practice. Internally, the messaging has been consistent: no firm timetable, and the team won’t rush a clearance.

The calculus is complicated by the calendar. With four regular-season games left and the playoff picture tightening, any pathway back would likely start with a practice window before activation. Until clearance arrives, the discussion is theoretical.

Colts’ QB room without Richardson

• Starter out for season: The club confirmed its Week 14 starter tore his right Achilles and is done for the year.

• Next man up is hurt, too: Rookie Riley Leonard finished the game but is dealing with a knee sprain and is week-to-week. The team is “hopeful” he can go in Seattle, but that remains a day-to-day call.

• Depth options: Practice-squad veteran Brett Rypien is on standby, and tight end Tyler Warren is designated as the emergency quarterback.

• Veteran visit: Philip Rivers, 44, is in town for a workout and physical. Whether that leads to a practice-squad deal or short-term elevation will hinge on readiness and the staff’s comfort with the install.

Timeline: Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ QB shuffle

Schedule subject to change.

What this means for Week 15 and beyond

Scheme & playbook: If Leonard can’t suit up, the Colts likely pivot to a pared-down plan emphasizing early-down runs, quick-game timing, and play-action shots that minimize long-protection holds. With Rypien or a just-signed veteran, expect heavy personnel groupings, motion to diagnose coverages, and an emphasis on low-risk throws that keep the chains moving.

Roster mechanics: A practice-squad signing for a veteran allows rapid onboarding without immediately burning a 53-man spot. A standard elevation late in the week could follow, with inactives shuffled to accommodate special-teams depth.

Risk vs. reward on Richardson: Even if medicals trend positively, the team must weigh the value of a late-season return against the risk profile of an eye injury. For a quarterback, peripheral vision, depth perception, and comfort in the pocket are non-negotiable. Clearance isn’t just about “healthy”—it’s about functional readiness to absorb hits and process the field at NFL speed.

The playoff layer

Indianapolis sits in the thick of the race, but the runway is short. A stabilizing quarterback plan—even if conservative—can keep the defense from carrying unsustainable minutes and field-position burdens. One win can reset momentum; one loss can push the club into tiebreaker math. The priority is avoiding giveaways, maximizing red-zone trips with designed runs and tight end leverage, and letting the pass rush close games.

Key questions still unanswered

1. Medical clearance window: Is there any realistic path for Richardson to practice before the final two regular-season games? Until doctors green-light activity, this remains unknown.

2. Leonard’s availability: A “week-to-week” knee often turns on swelling and stability by Thursday. His status will drive the game plan.

3. Veteran readiness: If Rivers (or any veteran) looks sharp in the workout and classroom, how quickly can terminology and protections be synchronized for live reps?

What to watch this week

• Practice reports: Who is taking QB1 reps by Thursday typically foreshadows the starter.

• Transaction wire: A veteran signing to the practice squad, followed by a Saturday elevation, would signal a contingency start or primary backup role.

• Design and tempo: Early scripted plays in Seattle will reveal how aggressively the Colts trust their quarterback—look for quick rhythm throws, perimeter runs, and screens as a barometer.

Anthony Richardson

For now, Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve, with no clearance to practice and no activation this week. The Colts’ immediate future hinges on the health of Riley Leonard and the success of a veteran contingency plan. If Richardson receives medical clearance later this month, the staff must balance the allure of a late spark with the long-term priority of protecting a franchise cornerstone’s vision and career arc.