Colts HC Shane Steichen says no timeline for Anthony Richardson's return from shoulder injury

Anthony Richardson's rookie season has been paused due to a shoulder injury, and it's unclear just how long he'll be out of action.

The Colts officially placed Richardson on injured reserve on Wednesday, guaranteeing he'll miss at least a month after he suffered what NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported to be a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in Indianapolis' Week 5 win over Tennessee. The four weeks required by IR might not be all, though, according to Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

"We'll continue to evaluate that process," Steichen said on Wednesday. "Don't have a timetable to return."

Steichen remained rather vague on all things regarding Richardson's health, telling reporters the Colts will "look at everything" as it pertains to treatment options, including surgery.

"We'll see what happens, what the doctors say with the final deal," Steichen said.

Richardson's shoulder injury forced him out of action fairly early in the Week 5 game against Tennessee, marking the third instance this season in which he departed due to health reasons. A concussion suffered in Week 2 required the Colts to turn to veteran backup Gardner Minshew, who started in place of Richardson in Week 3, helping Indianapolis to an overtime victory over the Ravens. Minshew was called upon once again in Week 5, and managed to outlast the Titans for Indianapolis' third win of the 2023 season.

Richardson also watched the final moments of the Colts' season-opening loss to the Jaguars to what was described as knee soreness.

Minshew has experience as both a starter and backup, manning the top job in Jacksonville in 2019 and part of 2020 before moving onto Philadelphia, where he backed up Jalen Hurts in 2021 and 2022. Minshew went 0-2 as a starter last season, but is