The Indianapolis Colts had to rely on 44-year old Philip Rivers as their starting quarterback on Sunday.
It sure was looking like Rivers would start the rest of the way for Indy, too, at least until a new Anthony Richardson injury update emerged on Monday.
CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz wrote this on X:
"Anthony Richardson has been cleared medically coming off his orbital fracture from Oct. 12 and the hope is to have him back practicing in the near future."
MORE: ACL recovery timeline impacts when Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons will return
Richardson was injured when the metal piece holding a stretching band broke and hit his face during pregame in October.
It's been a long road back for Richardson from the fluky, painful injury.
Richardson hadn't been starting this season, anyway. Daniel Jones won the starting job in the preseason. And for a time, Jones had the Colts atop the AFC.
Now, though, Jones is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Rivers started Sunday over Riley Leonard and Brett Rypien.
The Colts are 8-6, a game out of the final AFC wild card spot.
Richardson has been quite erratic in his NFL career. But the Colts could certainly consider him as an alternative if Rivers struggles in Week 16.
MORE: Bills may not win the AFC East — but they sent a clear warning to the rest of the NFL
It'll be tough for Indy to get its practice reps right if it really wants to make a QB change this late in the season. But the possibility has now at least been raised.
If the Colts happened to be eliminated before the end of the regular season, that'd be another opportunity to start Richardson. There'd be no need to stick with Rivers after potential elimination.
But first, Richardson will have to actually get back on the practice field and prove he's up to speed.
More NFL news:
- Jaxson Dart has a 50% head injury problem
- Trevor Lawrence had a game never before done by an NFL quarterback
- A Travis Kelce retirement hint is coming
- Micah Parsons' injury doesn't look good
- Patrick Mahomes' injury has fans asking Tom Brady ACL question
- Commanders' All-Pro puts down fans' draft order concerns