Chris Ballard details heartfelt message Anthony Richardson sent Colts before surgery

The Indianapolis Colts are having a surprisingly fun season but there is still a bit of sadness hanging around. The sadness stems from the fact that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is sidelined for the remainder of the season after having shoulder surgery to repair a sprained AC Joint.

Richardson had an electric start to his career, exciting fans with his arm and legs, and making all the critics that said he was raw look foolish. Unfortunately, injuries were a problem for him during his short time on the field and the last injury ended his season. In just four games, Richardson suffered a knee bruise, a concussion, and the sprained AC Joint.

When he was on the field, one of the things that helped him excel was his steady mindset. Colts general manager Chris Ballard frequently praised Richardson for never getting too high or too low. However, this static demeanor didn’t stop Richardson from letting his team know how sad he was that he couldn’t finish the season with them.

In a recent appearance on the Official Colts Podcast, Ballard revealed that right before Richardson’s surgery, the rookie quarterback sent a voice memo to head coach Shane Steichen to be played for the team. Ballard explained that the “heartfelt” memo consisted of Richardson telling the guys “how he cared and how much it bothered him that he wasn’t playing.”

Ballard concluded the story by hammering home the point that Richardson is far more mature than he expected and also discussed how it will be great for Richardson to be back with the team.

Anthony Richardson close to rejoining Colts in Indianapolis

While Richardson isn’t playing again this season, he will soon return to the team to continue his rehab in the team’s facility. That will provide him the opportunity to be around the guys and also to learn up close. While he was impressive early, he still is a young QB that has a lot to learn and a long way to go.

In the four games he played, 173 snaps, Anthony Richardson completed 59.5% of his passes for 577 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. He also added 136 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Once he returns healthy in 2024, and is paired up with Jonathan Taylor, things will be exciting.

READ MORE