The Indianapolis Colts have had a fairly brutal season so far, including an off-field issue with wide receiver Keenan Allen. The team now has another player with a new off-field situation: Anthony Richardson. According to FOX 59, the quarterback has been charged with having marijuana in his possession.
Specifically, Richardson was stopped by officers on October 12 in Carmel, Indiana, while driving a 2023 Dodge Charger with a license plate that didn't match the vehicle's registration, and the registration was not current. When approaching the vehicle, officers smelled an "odor of marijuana." Richardson then admitted to smoking a bit of marijuana and also still had some in the vehicle.
Richardson then exited his vehicle and was placed in handcuffs while officers searched the car. He was cited for an expired registration and appeared to agree in Carmel City Court. His initial hearing, set for December 9, was waived, and he has a bench trial scheduled for January 4, 2027.
Anthony Richardson's new legal issue another problem in a lost season for the Indianapolis Colts
In Indiana, a first-time offender possession less than 30 grams of marijuana receives a Class B misdemeanor, and a person can see up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. The exact punishment for Richardson is, of course, unknown at this point.
The same goes for whatever, if any, punishment he receives from the NFL. The league has devalued many of the previous punishments it handed out related to marijuana. Richardson might see no punishment, though. According to the NFL's Policy and Program on Substance Abuse, Richardson could face a suspension without pay of up to four games for a first-time offender.
The "up to" part is important. The quarterback might not face any kind of suspension. But Richardson's specific issue is only another example of an Indianapolis Colts season marked by problems years in the making.
Now-fired general manager Chris Ballard spent too much money to re-sign Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and not enough to address a glaring issue at edge rusher. Pierce has been injured most of the season (from a prior ankle injury that he aggravated again), and Jones has been bad. The pass rush has been atrocious.
Keenan Allen was signed during the preseason in hopes of offsetting the loss of Michael Pittman, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a cost-cutting move, but soon after was arrested for charges related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The charges don't mean Allen and Richardson are bad people, of course, but they are avoidable situations. They are also two more examples of Colts fans just not getting a break this season. The team is terrible through six games, and more changes will likely come. Maybe next year will be better, both on and off the field.
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