As the Indianapolis Colts reported for training camp at Grand Park Sports Complex yesterday, the big question was the health of quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The last time we saw Richardson, he was given a rest day to end the Colts’ mandatory minicamp period. Richardson is coming off shoulder surgery to his throwing arm and had experienced soreness the day before but vowed there was nothing to worry about. Seven weeks later, it seems AR is ready to go for his second training camp.
“I don’t think so,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard declared when asked if Richardson would have any maintenance days in camp. “I’m not expecting any limitations right now.”
Richardson is a full go, meaning the Colts are ready to unleash their full offensive attack. There has been a lot of hype from fans and media alike this offseason about Richardson’s potential in Shane Steichen’s offense. Teammates are also buying into the hype, excited to see what Richardson brings to Year Two.
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It starts with running back Jonathan Taylor, Richardson’s running mate in the backfield. The duo only played two snaps together in 2023, an unfortunate result of two electric offensive weapons dealing with injuries. But 2024 figures to be different, and while Richardson and Taylor still have work to do, the former All-Pro running back is jacked up to see what they can do.
Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson runs the gauntlet during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. / Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY
“Just to get a feel for each other, learn how one another moves, how they play, how he thinks,” Taylor remarked. “I think it’s going to be really fun. There were very few snaps (together last season), but we are praying for a full 17 weeks full of snaps this year.
“It’s almost like there’s a whole new element now,” Taylor continued. “You’re not just worrying about what I’m doing. It’s like, ‘You better worry about this guy because if not, he’s going to kill you.’”
Building chemistry with Taylor is only one aspect of Richardson’s return to the field. Richardson’s last game was back in early October, over nine months ago. Nine months is a long time to not be in pads.
Richardson will need to get used to the speed of the game again when the pads strap back on. But after countless workouts with his teammates this summer, it should not take long for Richardson to build up the rapport he once had with his weapons.
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“I think for Anthony it’s just getting back into the flow of things because every time that I’ve seen him this offseason, he looks great,” Michael Pittman Jr. admitted. “He’s in good shape, he’s throwing well, he’s all healed up. So, really just further learning and more experience. … Just get him ramped up and ready to play because it’s been a long time since he’s been able to play football.”
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Much of the attention will be about what Richardson does on the field, and rightfully so. But while he was not on the field for most of last season, Richardson grew as a quarterback off the field. Mastering the offense, developing a better understanding of defensive concepts, and growing as a leader are just a few of the things Richardson focused on during his injury.
And his teammates have already noticed the young quarterback putting what he has learned into practice.
“Physically, he looks amazing,” Ryan Kelly stated. “I think he’s taken a lot of growth off the field as well just watching film and doing cut-ups and stuff like that. I’m excited to see him come out here and compete. I know what kind of character and what kind of leadership he’s gotten from Year One to Year Two. So it’ll be exciting to see.”
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It is not just the offensive side of the ball that has taken note of Richardson’s growth either. Leaders of the Colts’ defense are excited to have a quarterback of his caliber on their team. Not only will going up against Richardson in practice make the defense better, and vice versa, but having a talented quarterback who can make winning plays gives the Colts a chance to reach heights this team has not seen in quite some time.
“His ceiling’s through the roof,” DeForest Buckner said about Richardson. “The kid’s got – The Lord blessed him with so many talents. He’s gifted physically, and it’s just the mental part of his game that he’s going to have to continue to build and work on. He’s lucky to have a coach like Shane (Steichen) who’s got a great mind for the game and can help him develop to the quarterback that everybody sees him becoming.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes the ball for a 2-pt conversion during game action against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. / Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The entire Colts franchise is excited about what is next for Richardson and what he can accomplish leading this team. But ultimately, talk is cheap. What matters is the results that Richardson and this team put on the field.
There will be bumps in the road along the way. It is to be expected out of a 22-year-old quarterback with only four NFL starts under his belt. The key will be learning from those mistakes and overcoming them.
The ability to overcome adversity will determine if Richardson will be successful in the NFL and reach his ceiling as a quarterback. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication to make it happen, but for those who know Richardson, his confidence in accomplishing what he sets out to do is unwavering.
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“There’s a naive confidence that, for a guy that hadn’t played a lot of snaps, just believes that he’s pretty freaking good,” Ballard explained. “And that’s a good thing, that’s not a bad thing. I do believe his poise is pretty rare, especially for a guy that really (only threw) 84 passes. Usually with rookies you see a lot of panic when they’re playing, a lot of frantic play. You didn’t see that with Anthony, and I think that’s a good sign.”
Year Two for Richardson is here, and so is all of the hype surrounding the former No.4 overall pick. Richardson is confident he can lead the Colts to the promised land. His teammates believe he has all the capabilities to make it happen as well.
Time to see if Richardson can usher in a new golden age of Colts football.
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A development study is underway at the east-side mall, which has changed hands and lost dozens of retail stores since its heyday.
It’s May, which means it’s destined to be a busy month at the racetrack. But if you’re looking for other ways to spend your time, look no further than some of the newest shops in the Circle City.
A specialty snack shop opened last month in Carmel, and a new Fountain Square spot is selling vintage and alternative clothes.
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Here are four new places to go around the metro area.
What’s opened recently around Indianapolis
Retrograde
1114 Prospect St., retrogradeindy.com, opened April 4
Retrograde, a retail and consignment shop, opened last month on Fountain Square’s main commercial strip. According to the store’s website, Retrograde features punk, rock, emo, alternative and vintage styles with an emphasis on sustainable clothing.
Open Thursday noon to 8 p.m.; Friday noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
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Flavor Bridge
846 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, opened mid-April
Flavor Bridge, a specialty, build-your-own-bag snack shop, opened in Carmel last month at the City Center. Customers can fill a bag up and pay based on weight or can choose from a gift box with a flat rate. The store will also host monthly events, special holiday themes and limited-edition snack drops.
Open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
Nutopia
9538 126th St, Fishers, 317-288-4468, opened mid-March
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A nut store recently opened in Fishers on 126th Street. Despite its name, Nutopia offers more than a wide selection of salty snacks. The cafe also serves coffee, matcha drinks and sweets, along with imported treats from the Middle East.
Open Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Avelure Med Spa
8487 Union Chapel Rd Suite 620, aveluremedspa.com, opened earlier this year
Avelure, a medical spa, opened at Keystone at the Crossing. It’s the second Avelure location in the Indianapolis area, joining a store in Greenwood. The spa offers Botox treatments, laser hair removal, facials and other services.
Appointments available. Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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See a store opening or closing in your neighborhood? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was shot Sunday afternoon at a gas station along East Washington Street in Indianapolis, police said.
Medics and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called about 5:10 p.m. Sunday to a report of a person shot and an unsafe gunshot scene at 4415 E. Washington St. That’s the address of a Citgo gas station located a few blocks west of Emerson Avenue.
The person shot was stable, awake and breathing, IMPD said in a media notification. IMPD did not plan to provide any more information from the crime scene on Sunday.
No additional information was immediately available, including whether the area was safe or if a suspect was in custody or being sought.
Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Indianapolis in Overnight Violence
INDIANAPOLIS — A series of overnight shootings across Indianapolis left at least two people dead and several others injured, capping a violent stretch that kept police and emergency crews moving from scene to scene late Saturday into early Sunday.
Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to multiple locations across the city over a span of several hours. Each call involved reports of gunfire, and in several cases, victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds when officers arrived.
On the near north side, police discovered a victim who had been shot. Medics attempted life saving measures at the scene, but the individual was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity as they work to notify family members.
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A second deadly shooting unfolded on the west side of the city. In that case, officers again arrived to find a victim in critical condition. The individual was transported for medical care but later died from their injuries. Investigators have not disclosed what led up to the shooting.
Beyond the two fatalities, several other people were wounded in separate incidents across Indianapolis during the same time period. Some victims were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, while others suffered more serious injuries. Police have not confirmed an exact total of those hurt, but officials described the number of incidents as significant for a single night.
Detectives believe the shootings occurred in different areas and under separate circumstances. At this stage, there is no clear indication that the incidents are connected, though investigators are continuing to examine any possible links. Crime scene technicians worked through the night collecting evidence, while detectives began interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the shootings. Police are asking anyone with information to contact authorities, stressing that tips from the public can play a critical role in identifying those responsible.
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The wave of violence comes as Indianapolis continues to confront ongoing concerns about gun violence, particularly during weekend hours when multiple incidents often occur within a short period of time. City leaders and community leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for conflict resolution, responsible gun ownership, and stronger community engagement to help reduce these incidents.
As the investigations continue, families are left mourning loved ones while police work to determine what sparked the deadly encounters and who may be responsible.
