Anthony Richardson won’t be activated as Colts face crushing QB shortage after Daniel Jones’ devastating Achilles injury

The Indianapolis Colts face a catastrophic quarterback shortage after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in their loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. With backup Riley Leonard battling a knee injury and Anthony Richardson ruled out despite the crisis, the team is exploring desperate measures to salvage their season.

The Perfect Storm at Quarterback for Indianapolis

The Colts fell victim to the worst-case scenario when Daniel Jones went down with a non-contact Achilles injury in the first half of Sunday’s matchup against Jacksonville. The 28-year-old quarterback, who was enjoying a successful renaissance in Indianapolis after being cut by the Giants, will miss the remainder of the season and undergo surgery this week. Jones had stabilized the offense and given the team legitimate playoff hopes.

With Jones ruled out permanently, the focus shifted to Riley Leonard, the sixth-round rookie drafted by the Colts in 2025. Leonard was pressed into action against Jacksonville but suffered his own setback, departing the game with a knee injury that has since been diagnosed as a Grade 1 PCL sprain. While medical sources indicated a Grade 1 sprain is “not the bad kind,” Leonard’s status for Week 15 remains up in the air with practice participation uncertain.

Anthony Richardson’s Prolonged Battle: Freak Pregame Accident Still Sidelining First-Round Pick

Adding to the Colts’ misery is the continued absence of Anthony Richardson, the former first-round pick from 2023. Richardson suffered a devastating orbital bone fracture during pregame warmups in October due to a freak accident involving a pole. He underwent surgery on October 26 and has not been cleared for football activities since the injury. Despite the current quarterback emergency, the team made an explicit decision not to activate Richardson, indicating he remains too far from game-ready status.

Richardson’s inability to return highlights just how severe his eye injury was. Several sources confirmed that the injury was severe enough that he has not even been cleared to begin football activity yet, making any Week 15 return impossible. The Colts have exhausted their traditional options at the position, forcing leadership to look outside the organization for emergency solutions.

The Philip Rivers 44-Year-Old Solution: Colts Turning to Hall of Famer in Desperation

With their top three quarterbacks sidelined, the Colts turned to an unexpected source: 44-year-old Philip Rivers, the eight-time Pro Bowl veteran who retired years ago. The team brought in Rivers for a workout on Tuesday as they explored every possible avenue to field a viable quarterback. Rivers has been retired from the NFL but remains in relatively good shape for his age, having worked as an analyst and maintained interest in the game.

The move represents a dramatic signal of just how desperate Indianapolis has become. While Rivers has the pedigree and experience, he hasn’t played competitive football in years and would be walking into an unfamiliar offensive system mid-season. Still, the Colts felt compelled to at least evaluate whether the veteran could provide emergency depth in their moment of crisis during a critical playoff run.

What This Means for the Colts’ Remaining Season

The quarterback situation threatens to derail Indianapolis’ entire season just as they were entering the home stretch of their campaign. If Riley Leonard cannot play in Week 15, the Colts will likely turn to practice squad options or recently signed veterans with minimal NFL experience. The loss of Jones removes their most reliable passer, while Richardson’s absence eliminates a potential backup option despite his struggles earlier in the season.

The timing could not be worse, as the Colts remain in playoff contention and need reliable quarterback play down the stretch. Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard must now navigate uncharted waters, hoping Leonard can recover quickly and that some combination of available quarterbacks can stabilize the offense.

Can the Colts overcome this quarterback catastrophe and salvage their season?

The answers will emerge over the next week as Leonard receives medical evaluation and the team decides whether to pursue external options like Rivers or turn to unproven internal candidates. One thing is certain: Indianapolis faces one of the most challenging quarterback situations in the NFL heading into the crucial final stretch of December football. The Colts’ resilience and adaptability will be tested like never before as they attempt to remain competitive without their top three quarterback options.

Watch: Colts QB Crisis Explained

Sources

• NFL.com – Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones injury updates, Riley Leonard PCL sprain confirmation
• ESPN.com – Philip Rivers workout details and Colts QB depth chart analysis
• Indianapolis Star – Anthony Richardson eye injury status and Colts quarterback situation coverage

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.