Colts QB Anthony Richardson Expected To Miss Week 7 Matchup vs. Browns

The Browns’ first matchup against a rookie QB in the 2023 season appears to be postponed.

That’s because Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who was set to face the Browns in Cleveland in Week 7, is likely to miss the next four to eight weeks with an AC joint injury to his right throwing shoulder. The Colts placed Richardson, who was the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, on injured reserve Wednesday, guaranteeing he’ll miss the next four games.

Richardson had already proven to be a formidable rookie with a rare ability to rush the ball. He had a 59.5 completion percentage with three touchdowns and one interception, as well as 136 rushing yards for four touchdowns. Injuries, however, have been a major issue early in his career — the shoulder issue was already his third injury this season.

The Colts, however, likely won’t have too much of a drop-off on offense without Richardson — Gardner Minshew is next in line and is one of the best backup QBs in the league. He’s completed 57-of-83 pass attempts (68.7 percent) with two touchdowns and no interceptions this season and led the Colts to a win in Week 3 against the Ravens. He owns a respectable 63.3 completion percentage across his five-year career and has thrown an impressive 46 touchdowns to only 15 interceptions.

Minshew has never faced the Browns in the regular season in his five-year career.

The Colts also signed former Browns backup QB Kellen Mond to their practice squad for depth behind Minshew.