Former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson returned to practice this week with the Indianapolis Colts for the start of OTAs. This marks his first time back since undergoing shoulder surgery for an injury sustained in Week 5 of the NFL season. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft discussed his recovery journey as he gears up for his second season.
“Every day is different for me,” Richardson said. “Some days I feel amazing, and some days I wake up with my shoulder a little achy. But every day, I work. Whenever I finish rehab or I’m lifting in the weight room, it’s like, ‘OK, I’m back.’ A few months ago, I couldn’t even lift my arm. So, every day I’m working, I’m back.”
Richardson had a promising start to his rookie season, throwing for 577 yards and three touchdowns in four games before his season-ending injury in October. By February, he was throwing again.
“I just want to stay healthy this season,” Richardson said. “Be out there for the team and play my best. I’m not chasing a perfect season because I know that’s not realistic. I just want to ensure I’m doing my job one play at a time, and if I do that, it might lead to the perfect season.”
During his three years at Florida, Richardson played in 24 games. He made his first career start as a redshirt freshman in 2021, earning a spot on the All-SEC Freshman Team. He became the full-time starter in 2022, starting all 12 games as a sophomore. The 6-foot-4, 244-pound quarterback completed 54% of his passes for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions that season. He also rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns.
Richardson threw for over 400 yards twice in 2022, including a career-high 453 yards in a loss to Tennessee. He had at least two touchdown passes in eight career games at Florida.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my play style,” Richardson said. “People see me as a big quarterback and assume I always want to run and be physical, thinking that’s what will get me hurt. That’s not the case.”
Rated as a four-star prospect from Gainesville (Fla.) Eastside in the 2020 class, Richardson ranked as the No. 245 overall recruit and No. 9 dual-threat quarterback nationally.
