Even with Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson coming off a season-ending shoulder injury during his rookie year, his ability as a ball carrier is still going to be a big part of the offense.
“People ask this, too,” said Shane Steichen after Thursday’s practice, ‘Hey, are you gonna limit the run game?’ And I kind of think like, ‘Shoot, are you gonna limit Steph Curry from shooting 3-pointers?’ Well, that’s one of Anthony’s strengths. We’re not gonna get away from that–that’s what he does well.”
In addition to Richardson sustaining the shoulder injury in Week 5, he also left the Colts’ Week 2 matchup against Houston early with a concussion.
While Richardson’s play-style isn’t going to change–it’s part of what makes him an elite talent–being more mindful of knowing when to get down and when to try to push for additional yardage will have to be a priority.
“My legs always been one of my superpowers,” Richardson said on Thursday. “So, trying to take that away from me, I don’t think that’s a good thing for this offense.
“It’s just more so me playing a little bit smarter and learning to take care of myself and my teammates. And knowing when to make the right play and knowing when to try to get those extra few yards.”
Richardson’s ability with the ball in his hands doesn’t only allow him to avoid sacks, extend plays, and pick up yards while scrambling, but that element is a big part of the Shane Steichen offense.
Last season, despite Gardner Minshew not taking over the starting role until Week 6, he finished the season running the fourth-most RPO plays in football.
This year, with both Richardson and Jonathan Taylor healthy–the two were only on the field together for two snaps in 2023–the Colts’ RPO game can be a real stressor for opposing defenses, helping to create better spacing for the offense, and thus opening up opportunities in the passing game as well.
“To have Anthony and JT back there,” said offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter earlier this offseason, “JT has an extensive history with a lot of success, leading the league in rushing. Now we’ve got Anthony, where a defense, gosh, there may be that mesh on a run play and it’s JT going left and it’s Anthony going right, and as a defense, how do you defend that?
“You have two really explosive players that maybe have a chance to end up with the ball on a run play, how do you defend all that? It is exciting.”
The Colts ceiling this season will be determined by Richardson’s play, so of course, having him on the field will be paramount, but if you’re holding out hope that there will be less running, that doesn’t sound like it’s going to be the case.
