Richardson (eye) will not be activated from injured reserve this week and is out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Richardson is still having vision impairments after suffering a fractured orbital bone Oct. 12. He had his 21-day practice window opened Dec. 18 but has only been a limited participant in practice the past couple weeks. After making 11 starts in 2024, Richardson lost his starting job to Daniel Jones over the summer, and the Colts then turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers in Week 15 in an attempt to save the season. Richardson made just two appearances in 2025, completing one of two passes for nine yards. He "rushed" four times for negative-one yard via kneel-downs. Richardson's future in Indianapolis will be a discussion point this upcoming offseason.

The Colts aren't expected to activate Richardson (eye) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale versus the Texans, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Richardson was cleared to resume practicing Dec. 18, but he's been nothing more than a limited participant over the past two weeks while he has yet to regain full vision in his right eye since fracturing an orbital bone Oct. 12. The third-year quarterback should continue to practice in some fashion this week, but the Colts plan to have Riley Leonard make his first NFL start in the season finale, while Philip Rivers will serve as the No. 2 signal-caller. Richardson will thus close the season having made just two brief appearances at the tail end of blowout wins in Weeks 3 and 5, and Indianapolis will most likely decline the pricey fifth-year team option on his rookie contract this offseason. The 23-year-old will still remain on the Colts' books through next season, however, and he could be a candidate to open 2026 as the team's starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) headed for free agency and at risk of missing time to begin the campaign even if Indianapolis re-signs him. The Colts' plans at quarterback for 2026 should gain more clarity early on during the offseason.

Coach Shane Steichen noted Wednesday that Richardson (orbital) won't be activated from IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steichen previously confirmed that Philip Rivers will draw the start at QB for the 8-7 Colts on Sunday. With Richardson not slated to come off IR in advance of Week 17 action, Riley Leonard will continue to back up Rivers this weekend.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen suggested Tuesday that Richardson (orbital) is unlikely to be activated from injured reserve this week while Riley Leonard continues to back up Philip Rivers, who will make a third straight start at quarterback Sunday against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richardson made enough progress in his recovery from the fractured orbital bone he suffered in his right eye during an Oct. 12 pregame for the Colts to clear him to practice last week, but the third-year signal-caller didn't advance beyond limited participation. As Boyd notes, Richardson hasn't regained full vision in the eye despite returning to practice, so until that happens, the Colts will likely be reluctant to activate him. Pending the results of Saturday's Chargers-Texans game as well as Sunday's action, the Colts could be eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 18, in which case Steichen could be motivated to go in a different direction at quarterback. Leonard would still appear to be more likely than Richardson to draw a start in the regular-season finale at Houston, barring Richardson making more significant strides in his recovery from the eye injury.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Saturday that Richardson (orbital) will not be available for Monday's game against the 49ers, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts designated Richardson to return from injured reserve Thursday, but he won't be activated from IR ahead of Monday's game after being a limited practice participant during Week 16 prep. His next opportunity to return is Week 17 against the Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 28, but even if he does return, he'll likely serve as the Colts' backup quarterback to Philip Rivers.

Richardson (orbital) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

After the Colts officially opened his 21-day evaluation window Thursday, Richardson took part in practice for the first time since sustaining a fractured orbital bone in his right eye Oct. 12 while working out on the field prior to a game. Prior to Thursday's session, head coach Shane Steichen noted that Richardson still had some vision limitations in his right eye, prompting the Colts to rule the third-year quarterback out for Monday's game against the 49ers. For his part, Richardson told Stephen Holder of ESPN.com that he feels mostly back to normal, but the Colts aren't yet ready to commit to him being activated from injured reserve this season until he's evaluated more extensively in practice. The Colts will turn to Philip Rivers to make a second straight start in Week 16, but Richardson could be an option to unseat Rivers for the top job or Riley Leonard for No. 2 duties at some point over the final two games of the regular season.

The Colts opened Richardson's (orbital) 21-day practice window Thursday, Amanda Foster of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis, Richardson, who last practiced Oct. 10, is likely to be eased back into drills, with some scout-team reps possibly on tap during Thursday's session. While Richardson's return to practice is a step in the right direction, head coach Shane Steichen noted that the signal-caller "still has some vision limitations" as a result of fracturing the orbital bone in his right eye and won't be available for Monday's game against the 49ers. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season, Philip Rivers is currently the top quarterback on the Colts' roster, while Riley Leonard is next up on the depth chart.

Richardson (orbital) has been cleared to resume football activities, but it remains uncertain whether he will return for Indianapolis' final three games of the regular season, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richardson remains on injured reserve after having suffered an orbital bone fracture during Oct. 12 warmups prior to a matchup against Arizona, and Indianapolis has yet to offer even a tentative update on his 21-day practice window opening. In the wake of Daniel Jones (Achilles) sustaining a season-ending injury Dec. 7, the Colts turned to veteran signee Philip Rivers to start Week 15 against the Seahawks, while Richardson remained on IR. Head coach Shane Steichen said last week that Richardson was "not ready yet" but that an update would be provided upon him being cleared for contact, as has now occurred.

Richardson (orbital) will not be activated from injured reserve this week, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts find themselves in need of options at the quarterback spot with Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season and Riley Leonard (knee) also banged up, but Richardson will not be one of them immediately, as his recovery continues from the orbital fracture he sustained in mid-October. Brett Rypien -- who is on the practice squad -- is the only Colts quarterback without an injury concern heading into Week 15.

Richardson underwent surgery Monday to repair his orbital fracture and could return from injured reserve later this season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts haven't issued a timeline for Richardson's return from surgery, which he required after fracturing his orbital when he was hit in the eye by a piece of workout equipment prior to Indianapolis' Oct. 12 win over the Cardinals. Since Richardson was deactivated, rookie Riley Leonard has stepped in as the Colts' No. 2 quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones.