Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson told reporters Wednesday that the back injury that kept him out of the 45-33 Week 17 loss to the New York Giants was more serious than he thought. head coach Shane Steichen initially revealed. It may even be a condition that the QB has to deal with throughout his career.
Richardson did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, which the Colts said was more of a walk-through. your injury report. After practice, he explained how much discomfort I was experiencing last week.
“Last week was tough and I couldn’t even get up on Tuesday, I could barely walk, crawling around the house,” Richardson said. “But I’m here, I’m standing now. If I can do anything in my power to get on the field, I will.”
#foals Quarterback Anthony Richardson said he “couldn’t even stand up” last week due to severe back spasms.
He said he has had back problems since the eighth grade and had an MRI that revealed a “thing in the disc.”
He said his back problems “could be chronic,” but he doesn’t think he needs surgery. pic.twitter.com/Wf6zN6x4ux
-James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 1, 2025
Before last week’s game, Steichen said Richardson was dealing with back pain. However, he later admitted that the second-year QB was having back spasms and said his philosophy has always been to not reveal too much about injuries, schemes and personnel moves.
But as anyone who has experienced back spasms will confirm, they are much more painful and debilitating than “pain.” Richardson’s description of his condition supported that, dispelling any notion that perhaps he didn’t want to play while hurt.
What might be more worrying is Richardson adding that his condition is “a disc issue” that was revealed by an MRI exam. It could be a chronic problem for the rest of your career. However, if treated correctly, surgery will not be necessary.
“It’s a disc issue that’s been there for a while,” Richardson said. “I guess it was activated incorrectly last week and did what it did.”
“It may be chronic, but there are many ways to prevent it from happening again in the future,” he continued. “Now that I know what it is, I can find certain ways to stay out of certain positions and just make sure I’m healthy, 100 percent.”
Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL DraftHe said he has had back problems since he was a teenager, but always believed the problem was muscular, the result of frequent lifting and running. But what he felt last week was worse than anything he had ever experienced before.
It has not yet been determined if Richardson will play in the Colts’ Week 18 finale. He is expected to participate in practice on Thursday.
If Richardson doesn’t play Sunday, his season will end with 1,814 passing yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He missed three games (possibly four) due to hip and back injuries, and was benched for two games after poor performances.