The Indianapolis Colts will be getting back second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson this season following surgery to his throwing shoulder. The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was limited to just four games but provided evidence that he could be the starter moving forward.

More news: Big Injury Update On Anthony Richardson Provided By Indianapolis GM

He threw for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. But where he was most dangerous was on the ground as he racked up 136 yards and four touchdowns.

Shane Steichen was asked whether or not it could be beneficial for the Colts to limit Richardson on running attempts to avoid further injury. The head coach responded fairly honestly, comparing his young signal-caller to Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

“People ask this, too, a lot,” Steichen said at a Thursday news conference. “It’s just like ‘Hey, are you gonna limit the run game?’ And I kind of think, like, shoot, are you gonna limit Steph Curry from shooting three-pointers? Well, that’s one of Anthony’s strengths. So, we’re not gonna get away from that. That’s what he does well.”

Richardson showed that he was extremely effective in running the ball in limited time this past season. Before his injury, he was firing on all cylinders and Indianapolis is excited about the potential he has going forward.

The second-year player echoed a similar sentiment to that of his head coach but wants to do what is best for the team. He knows that his legs are what makes him special as a talent but also that he has to be more careful when running the ball going forward.

“My legs [have] always been one of my superpowers,” Richardson said. “So, trying to take that away from me, I don’t think that’s a good thing for this offense. It’s just more so me playing a little bit smarter, and learning how to take care of myself and my teammates. Knowing when to make the right play and knowing when to try to get the extra few yards. Don’t take my legs away, but being more smart.”

Staying on the field will be crucial to the development of Richardson and the overall success of the Colts. Playing in the wide-open AFC South, Indianapolis could make some noise and get themselves back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

More news: Colts Defender Has Lofty Goals For 2024: ‘Best Defensive Line in the League’

2024 NCSA SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wilson York of Lakeside Swim Team in Kentucky swam to a new boys 13-14 national age group (NAG) record in the LCM 200 breast. York swam to a 2:15.11, getting under Ethan Dang‘s record of a 2:15.84 from 2016.

Prior to Dang, the record was held by Reece Whitley who swam a 2:16.48 in 2014, a time that still sits at #2 all-time for the age group. Dang now swims at Stanford while Whitley went on to swim for Cal.

Split Comparison

York was out much slower than Dang was but was able to only have a two second fall-off in the race. York dropped a significant amount of time in the race as he entered with a 2:18.08 from January’s Pro Series stop in Knoxville. That time previously sat at #4 all-time in the age group.

York has had a busy week of competition in Indianapolis and has his last individual race with the 200 IM tomorrow. He notably swam the 100 breast earlier this week with a 1:03.77 in finals, exactly half a second off his 1:03.27 entry time.

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Josh Downs dazzled in the wide receiver footwork drills, making cuts that were on another level compared to the rest of the group.

He rifled his feet through the ladder.

And on Saturday’s practice, him and Anthony Richardson connected for a nice pass and catch down the sideline between two defenders.

Downs has been impressive at training camp and got off to a good start in his first year, hauling in 68 receptions on 771 yards and two touchdowns, but he expects more this year.

“Year one to year two, it’s always been a big jump for me,” Downs said. “High school, college, it was both the same.”

He’s not exaggerating. In his freshman year at North Carolina, he had seven catches for 119 yards. That skyrocketed to 101 receptions for 1,335 yards in his sophomore year. His touchdown count also jumped from three to eight.

Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter agrees with Downs’ confidence. He’s been impressed with Downs so far at training camp, and thinks he’s learned a lot from his first year in the league.

“Josh (Downs) is going to make the most of that from a route running perspective from a defensive coverage identification perspective,” Cooter said. “Josh (Downs) is primed and ready to have a big camp out here and do some really good things.”

Downs is processing the game better this year. He said he’s not thinking about the route he’s running as he gets set up at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he’s analyzing the defense and determining what coverage they’re in.

Someone that has helped him with this is cornerback Kenny Moore II. Downs considers Moore II to be at the top of his position in the NFL. He said Moore II is really smart and likes to mix it up with Downs when they’re matched up together, disguising whether he’s in man coverage or zone coverage.

Downs says he has the best slot receiver job in the league because he gets to go up against Moore II every day.

Downs has also been building his chemistry with Richardson. It’s now getting to the point where they’re running plays that aren’t in the playbook.

“We’re seeing different plays, it might not be in the playbook,” Downs said. “He’ll (Richardson) be like, ‘hey, JD, do you see this? Do that.’ I’m like, ‘I was thinking the same thing.’”

“I know Anthony (Richardson) trusts me. I trust him. We’re clicking before practice, after practice, even off the field. That’s my dog,” Downs said.

The Colts return to practice on Sunday at Grand Park from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.