Gardner Minshew

Colts QB Anthony Richardson Suffers Injury To Throwing Shoulder

October 9th, 2023 at 8:50am CST by Ely Allen

OCTOBER 9: Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport reports that Richardson’s injury is indeed believed to be a Grade 3 AC joint sprain, which would come with a recovery timeline of several weeks. Confirmation of that diagnosis via further testing could open the door to an IR stint, a move which would guarantee at least a four-week absence.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports adds that Richardson is currently seeking three opinions on the injury to determine his next course of action, which could include surgery. Much will depend on the particulars of his sprain, which has seen some quarterbacks briefly sidelined while, most recently, Saints passer Derek Carr managed to avoid missing any time with a similar (albeit seemingly less severe) ailment. In any event, Minshew should be expected to handle starting duties for the time being.

OCTOBER 8: Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson‘s rookie season continues its rocky progression. The rocky start isn’t necessarily reflective of his performance on the field, but it’s more so reflective of his inability to stay on the field. In today’s win over the division-rival Titans, Richardson was forced to leave a game for the second time in the first five weeks of his rookie year, this time due to an injury to his throwing shoulder.

After losing in his NFL debut, Richardson was forced to exit the second game of his career due to a concussion. He remained in concussion protocols going into a Week 3 matchup with the Ravens, so Indianapolis was forced to rely on Gardner Minshew.

Today, Richardson was forced to leave the game late in the second quarter after suffering a shoulder injury on a rush he kept for himself. Once again, Minshew was able to come into the game in relief of Richardson and help lead the team to victory.

Despite the fact that the Colts have won every game Minshew has played meaningful snaps in, the team renewed their confidence that Richardson was their quarterback moving forward. That likely remains the stance in Indy, as they appreciate the play they get from Richardson, but if the rookie continues to miss time this season, they’ll be thankful to have one of the league’s better backup quarterbacks in their clubhouse.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the initial diagnosis of Richardson’s newest injury is an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. He was in a lot of pain after sustaining the injury, and one has to imagine that pain will keep him from being able perform as a starting passer if the injury is persistent. X-rays taken in the locker room were negative for any breaks or fractures in his shoulder.

In order to determine the severity and exact diagnosis of his shoulder sprain, Richardson went directly to the hospital to get an MRI on the area of injury, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. The results of the scan are expected to be made public later tonight, revealing just what the situation will be for the Colts at quarterback in the near future. If Richardson is forced to miss more time, Minshew will continue to play in his place.

Anthony Richardson To Remain Colts’ Starter Upon Return

September 26th, 2023 at 10:26am CST by Adam La Rose

The Colts picked up their second straight win in Week 3 despite having Gardner Minshew under center. The team’s backup signal-caller will retain that position on the depth chart once Anthony Richardson clears concussion protocol.

Richardson exited Indianapolis’ Week 2 game against the Texans after being removed due to the hit he suffered while scoring his second rushing touchdown of the contest. He remains in concussion protocol for now, and head coach Shane Steichen did not say for certain whether Richardson or starting center Ryan Kelly would be able to practice on Wednesday. Presuming the former is able to do so, though, his starting gig will await him come Week 4.

“Anthony is our guy,” Steichen said, via Akeem Glaspie of the Indy Star. “[Richardson’s] our starting quarterback, but going back to Gardner, a ton of respect for Gardner and what he does on a week in and week out basis. When he goes in, he operates at a high level and couldn’t be more thankful that he’s here and what he’s done for this football team.”

Given the Colts’ decision to anoint Richardson the starter after just one preseason contest, Steichen’s remarks come as little surprise. The No. 4 pick was tapped as a candidate to see immediate playing time as a rookie (just like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, the two passers selected ahead of him), and his success on the ground in particular – 5.8 yards per carry, three touchdowns – has earned him a continued look as a first-teamer when healthy.

On the other hand, Minshew has been efficient in his time filling in for Richardson and his Week 3 start. The 27-year-old has posted a 66.7% completion percentage while throwing a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. Targeted by the Colts in part for his Eagles connection to Steichen, Minshew represents a high-floor backup option to Richardson, as he has already demonstrated in the early going of the 2023 campaign.

Richardson’s participation in practice in the coming days will be worth watching closely, but for now he should be expected to clear the protocol in time for Week 4 against the Rams on Sunday. As long as he is available, he will return to his starting duties while Minshew is relegated back to his QB2 role.

Colts’ Gardner Minshew To Start In Week 3

September 22nd, 2023 at 2:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:15pm: The Colts have, as expected, officially ruled out Richardson for Sunday’s contest. That leaves Minshew in place to carry on the starting duties he had to close out Week 2. A successful run in the QB1 spot – however brief it may be – could boost the latter’s free agent prospects with the Colts or another interested team come the offseason.

11:55am: Anthony Richardson exited the Colts’ Week 2 victory with a concussion, leading to questions about his ability to recover in time for the team’s next contest. He remains sidelined during practice, leaving it highly unlikely he will be under center come Sunday.

Richardson has not taken part in practice all week, including an absence on Friday, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. The No. 4 pick has yet to be ruled out officially, but his chances of clearing the league’s concussion protocol within the next 48 hours are slim. As a result, Gardner Minshew is in line to start for Indianapolis against the Ravens in Week 3.

Minshew took over for Richardson after he exited the Colts’ win over the Texans. The 27-year-old went 19-for-23 and recorded 171 passing yards and one touchdown, numbers which helped move the offense at an efficient clip and prove his effectiveness as a fill-in option. Minshew split first-team reps with Richardson at the onset of training camp, but it was quickly decided that the latter would assume starting duties right away with Minshew representing a known commodity available on the bench.

The former sixth-rounder signed a one-year deal in March, following head coach Shane Steichen from Philadelphia to Indianapolis. Minshew spent a pair of season under Steichen during his time as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, making four starts and nine total appearances. His performance there wasn’t enough to garner interest as a starter on a new team, and it was widely understood the Colts would follow up the Minshew signing by drafting a signal-caller early in April. Their decision to add a well-known insurance policy will be proven to be a sound one, presuming Richardson is indeed ruled out in the near future.

While it is likely the 21-year-old will sit out Sunday’s contest, he is optimistic he will be back in action for the following week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. A cautious approach would come as no surprise so early in Richardson’s career, considering the investment made in him and the presence of a veteran as a spot starter while he recovers. For at least one full game, it will in all likelihood be Minshew at the helm.

AFC South Notes: Titans, Colts, Ryans, Jags

July 27th, 2023 at 11:13am CST by Sam Robinson

The max-value figure in DeAndre Hopkins‘ Titans deal emerged when he committed to the team, but guarantee numbers had been elusive. No longer, as the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin details Tennessee’s true commitment to its new WR1. The two-year, $26MM pact contains $10.98MM guaranteed at signing (Twitter link). The Chiefs and Patriots preferred incentive-laden contracts that did not come especially close to the guarantee figure the Titans authorized.

The contract also includes three void years. The void numbers allowed the Titans to keep Hopkins’ 2023 cap number low ($3.67MM), and the team can move on — via a post-June 1 cut designation — in 2024 fairly easily. Tennessee could create $14MM in 2024 cap space by using the June 1 mechanism, as it did with Julio Jones last year, should this fit not work out. This decision will likely come in March, as OverTheCap notes Hopkins is due a $4.06MM bonus if on the Titans’ roster by Day 5 of the 2024 league year. That setup stands to prevent Hopkins from another summer free agency stay.

Here is the latest from the AFC South:

Careful not to divulge too much about the Colts’ QB plan, Shane Steichen confirmed Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson would rotate with the first team during training camp. Minshew began that rotation as the first-teamer to start camp, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 notes. Although Richardson did not gain much seasoning as a Florida starter and is considered a rawer prospect than Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, his draft slot points to extensive rookie-year work. Jim Irsay confirmed as much earlier this month, indicating Richardson needs to play early. Minshew, who worked with Steichen in Philadelphia, signed a one-year, $3.5MM deal in March.
DeMeco Ryans will not work as a CEO-type coach with the Texans, with NFL.com’s James Palmer noting he will call the team’s defensive plays this season (Twitter link). The former Houston linebacker called San Francisco’s defensive plays from 2021-22, becoming a hot HC candidate after the 49ers’ defense ranked first across the board last season. Matt Burke will serve as a non-play-calling Texans DC.
Both Joey Porter Jr. and Will Levis were in the mix for fully guaranteed rookie contracts, but neither received such terms. Levis did fare better than last year’s No. 33 overall pick, however, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting the Titans QB’s four-year deal is 91.5% guaranteed. That is up from the $80.4% guarantee last year’s No. 33 choice (Buccaneers D-lineman Logan Hall) received on his rookie deal. Levis also secured training camp roster bonuses totaling $1.76MM from 2023-26. Those figures are fully guaranteed through 2025, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger tweets.
The Titans’ first-rounder, Peter Skoronski, spent time at guard and tackle during the team’s offseason program. But Mike Vrabel provided some clarity about the No. 11 overall pick’s NFL path. The college tackle is working as a guard right now. Considering the Titans brought in tackles George Fant and Chris Hubbard on visits last week and have Nicholas Petit-Frere set to return to his right tackle post once his six-game gambling suspension ends, it makes sense the Titans would keep Skoronski at guard. Neither Fant nor Hubbard have signed with the team.
Evan Engram‘s three-year, $41.25MM Jaguars extension includes three void years, with Wilson noting (via Twitter) the deal will void 23 days before the 2026 league year. Pro Bowl incentives — worth $250K per year — are also present in the tight end’s contract.
Veteran tight end Luke Stocker‘s playing career wrapped after 11 seasons (2011-21), and Vrabel said during a recent appearance on Taylor Lewan and Will Compton‘s Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he is part of the Titans’ coaching staff. Stocker, 35, was with the Titans from 2017-18, overlapping with Vrabel during the latter season. He also played with the Bucs, Falcons and Vikings.

Jim Irsay Discusses Anthony Richardson, Quarterback Depth Chart

July 10th, 2023 at 5:50pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s uncertain if Anthony Richardson will be under center for the Colts come Week 1, but the quarterback will undoubtedly be thrown into the fire during his rookie season. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Colts owner Jim Irsay said that the fourth-overall pick will see plenty of playing time during the 2023 campaign.

“For Anthony Richardson, it’s going to be tough . We know that,” Irsay said. “But he has to play to get better. I mean, there’s no question. Gardner [Minshew] could play come out and obviously play better early on, just being a veteran, but we have to get Anthony on the field. That’s Shane’s call when he decides to do it.”

The Colts have a glowing track record when it comes to top-five QBs, and both Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck started every game as rookies (with Manning finishing his rookie campaign with mixed results). However, as Irsay noted during his interview, Manning had 45 collegiate starts under his belt when he entered the NFL. Richardson got 13 starts during his three seasons at Florida, with the majority of them coming this past year.

Of course, in those aforementioned 12 starts, Richardson tossed 17 touchdowns vs. nine interceptions while also adding another 654 yards and nine scores on the ground. Those flashes of stardom catapulted the prospect up the draft rankings, leading to him being selected with the fourth-overall pick.

Considering Indy’s investment, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the coaching staff brought the rookie QB along slowly to begin the 2023 campaign. The Colts signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $3.5MM deal this past offseason, and the veteran brings along 24 games of starting experience. The Colts will also return former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger, who has been with the organization since 2021.

Latest On Colts’ QB Situation

March 27th, 2023 at 9:00am CST by Adam La Rose

With one month remaining until the 2023 draft, teams at the top of the board are increasingly turning their attention to this year’s class of prospects. That includes the quarterback position for several teams slated to pick in the top five – such as the Colts – who find themselves in an interesting situation.

Indianapolis holds the fourth overall selection, which has led to the widespread belief that they will draft a quarterback with that pick. They have a vacancy at the top of the depth chart, after their 2022 experiment with Matt Ryan failed and led to the veteran’s release. The Colts have since signed Gardner Minshew in a move which reunites him with head coach Shane Steichen, but the latter confirmed that a backup role awaits him with his new team.

“Right now, obviously, he’s coming in to just compete and be the best he can be, you know, and that’s where we’re going,” Steichen said, when asked whether Minshew could compete for the vacant starting job. “That’s where we feel he’s at right now and that’s his role right now” (h/t Brenna White of NFL.com).

Minshew signed a one-year deal with a maximum value of $5.5MM, giving the Colts a No. 2 option with 24 starts and 32 appearances to his name. However, the team’s Week 1 starter in 2023 has long been expected to be the signal-caller drafted with their top pick. On that note, though, The Athletic’s Zak Keefer notes that the Colts feel “pretty strongly” that the 2023 class is devoid of a can’t-miss franchise QB (Twitter link).

With the quarterback-needy Panthers and Texans slated to select first and second, respectively, there is a strong chance both Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud will be off the board before the Colts’ pick. The other top options at the position, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson, are generally seen as more volatile prospects in terms of their ability to transition successfully into the NFL. Given the lack of attractive options likely to be available to Indianapolis under center, the team could be steered toward an unexpected move.

Keffer’s colleague James Boyd opines that the Colts could consider drafting the best player available at No. 4, and saving their QB pursuits for later in the draft (subscription required). A number of high-end defenders will be on the board assuming Carolina and Houston take Young and Stroud in one order or another, so Indianapolis could be well-positioned to bolster their roster on that side of the ball. Their next selection is at No. 35, which Boyd notes may be too low for the team to secure Hendon Hooker, the next highest-rated passer.

For that reason, Boyd points to a trade-down from the fourth overall pick being a possibility if the Colts aren’t sold on selecting Levis or Richardson early. Hooker, coming off a torn ACL, carries risk of his own, of course, which will make the Colts’ evaluations and plans at the QB spot a key storyline in the coming weeks.

Colts, QB Gardner Minshew Agree To Deal

March 16th, 2023 at 4:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Colts have made the latest addition on the veteran QB market. Indianapolis has agreed to terms on a deal with Gardner Minshew, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link).

Pelissero adds that the contract is one year in length and has a base value of $3.5MM, with the potential for more via incentives. His colleague Ian Rapoport tweets that Minshew’s base compensation is fully guaranteed, and that he could earn up to $5.5MM. The $3.5MM is guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.

The 26-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Eagles, and spent time with then-offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. The latter is now in place as the Colts’ head coach, so this move will give both parties a high degree of familiarity. Minshew is the latest passer to follow the Philadelphia-to-Indianapolis path.

Nick Foles joined the Colts last offseason at the behest of Frank Reich, whose inability to implement a strong passing game during his tenure played a large role in his midseason firing. The Colts have had a revolving door under center for years, and Foles joined Matt Ryan as the latest signal-callers targeted as veteran additions at the position. The latter has been released after he struggled with injuries and underperformed in 2022.

Minshew saw two starts in each of his Eagles seasons, making nine total appearances. Over that span, he posted a passer rating of 92.8, roughly on par with his career figure. He is now three years removed from his time as the Jaguars’ starter coming to an end, but his return to the AFC South could prove to be a good fit.

The Colts gave 2022 sixth-rounder Sam Ehlinger a brief audition amongst their QB uncertainty, but his play in that span did nothing to incentivize the team to look anywhere but at the quarterback position in next month’s draft. Currently holding the No. 4 pick, they will have a prime opportunity to add a long-term solution under center. Whomever is added in the near future, though, they will have an experienced backup behind them on the depth chart.

Gardner Minshew On Colts’ Radar

March 16th, 2023 at 8:53am CST by Sam Robinson

Beyond Jimmy Garoppolo, a buyer’s market took shape at quarterback in free agency this year. But a few teams have made their moves for bridge-level veterans. Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Darnold reached agreements. The Colts, however, have not made a move.

Indianapolis released Matt Ryan, being set to become the rare team to enter a season with a seventh Week 1 starting quarterback in seven years, and saw Carolina trade up to the No. 1 overall spot. The Colts will continue to be connected to rookie options at No. 4, but they should be expected to add a veteran as well. Gardner Minshew has surfaced on Indy’s radar for the latter role, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets.

A former Jaguars starter who ended up taking future Colt Nick Foles‘ job in 2019, Minshew spent the past two seasons backing up Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. New Colts HC Shane Steichen residing in Philly during that span makes this a rather clear connection for the AFC South franchise.

Hurts suffered short-term injuries in each of his two full seasons as the Eagles’ starter, missing a start with an ankle issue in 2021 and suffering a shoulder malady last season. Minshew ended up making four starts in Philly from 2021-22 under Steichen. He fared better in 2021, completing 68.3% of his passes and sporting a solid 60.8 QBR number, but he also started against a bad Jets team and a host of Cowboys backups. Last season, he faced Cowboys starters and a top-10 Saints defense and completed just 57.9% of his throws and threw three touchdown passes and three INTs.

For his career, however, the former sixth-round pick carries an eye-catching 44-to-15 TD-INT ratio. Most of those numbers came for overmatched Jaguars teams as well. Minshew is 8-16 as a starter, but he showed the capabilities of at least being a capable QB1 in Jacksonville. He will be available at a low rate, given what Mayfield and the rest of the above-referenced lot of passers signed for this week.

The Colts still have Foles and Sam Ehlinger under contract, but the franchise should be expected to turn the page (again) at the position this offseason. The team will be connected to a trade-up maneuver in Round 1 or sticking at 4 to select a first-round QB for the first time since Andrew Luck 11 years ago. But Indy will almost definitely have a veteran option in place by that point as well. Minshew’s past with Steichen will make him a strong candidate to fill that role.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Expected To Start In Week 18

January 7th, 2023 at 7:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles’ opponents will not be at full strength when they take the field tomorrow, but Philadelphia is in line to have their starting quarterback available. Jalen Hurts is expected to start in the regular season finale, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Hurts has been out since Week 15 with a shoulder sprain, leaving the Eagles with Gardner Minshew as their top option at the position. The veteran has put up noticeable yardage totals during his two starts filling in for Hurts, but he took six sacks during last week’s loss to the Saints and has thrown as many interceptions (three) as touchdowns this year. Philadelphia has lost two straight, thus failing to clinch the top seed in the NFC along the way.

The Eagles will be heavily favored to guarantee themselves a first-round bye with a win on Sunday, however, with Hurts back in the fold and the Giants being locked into the No. 6 spot, leaving them with no need to play their first-stringers. Philadelphia will also have safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Robert Quinn available after they were activated from IR earlier today, providing a boost to their defense.

Hurts was quickly reported to be in danger of missing multiple games as a result of the injury, but he made a push to return in time for last week’s contest against New Orleans. The fact that tomorrow’s game still carries seeding implications partially explains his presumed availability, of course, but the 24-year-old would have faced a month-long absence in the (likely) event the Eagles still wound up with the No. 1 seed and its associated bye week after another game with Minshew at the helm.

Notably, Garafolo adds that the Eagles plan to start Hurts with the hope of building a significant lead early on. That will allow him to get some game action in the lead-in to the postseason, while also allowing Philadelphia to replace him with Minshew after the result is no longer in doubt. Should that scenario not play out, though, they are confident in Hurts’ status with respect to his recovery and low risk of re-injury.

The former second-rounder put himself squarely in the MVP conversation prior to getting hurt, totaling 3,472 passing yards and a 22:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His improvement in the passing game has been coupled with an additional 747 yards and 13 scores on the ground, making him one of the league’s top dual-threat QBs and the focal point of the team’s offense. Should he return to full health in time for the postseason, the Eagles will be well-positioned for a deep playoff run.

Eagles To Start Gardner Minshew In Week 16

December 22nd, 2022 at 9:25am CST by Sam Robinson

Jalen Hurts‘ shoulder injury will lead to the MVP candidate missing at least one game. Nick Sirianni said Thursday the plan is for the Eagles to start backup Gardner Minshew against the Cowboys.

The former Jaguars starter whom the Eagles acquired via trade last year, Minshew has made two starts with Philadelphia. Sirianni’s decision will wrap a regular season that will have featured two Cowboys-Eagles games involving backup quarterbacks. Cooper Rush faced Hurts in October, as Dak Prescott rehabbed his thumb injury.

While the Eagles are going week to week with Hurts, it is possible he either misses multiple games or does not return until the playoffs. During a Week 15 game in which Hurts matched his season-high with 17 carries, he suffered a shoulder sprain in the third quarter. Hurts finished the game, and it is believed he could play through this were Philly’s Christmas Eve Dallas rematch a must-win game. But the Eagles hold a three-game lead on the Cowboys in the NFC East and are essentially three up in the home-field advantage race, thanks to an early-season win over the 11-3 Vikings, so Hurts-related caution can take place.

This will become a pivotal game for Minshew, who is on track for free agency in March. The former Jags sixth-round pick has been a quality backup with the Eagles, after flashing frequently on struggling Jacksonville teams during his first two seasons. Although Urban Meyer continued to give Minshew first-team reps for much of the 2021 offseason, Trevor Lawrence‘s expected ascent coming to pass led to a Minshew trade. The Eagles acquired the Washington State product for a conditional draft choice last year. It became a sixth-rounder after Minshew did not play at least 50% of Philly’s offensive snaps in three games last season.

Minshew, 26, did clear the 50% barrier in two games last season — both starts. He filled in for Hurts, who was battling an ankle injury, against the Jets and started with a cast of Eagles backups against the Cowboys in Week 18. When playing with Philly starters in New Jersey, Minshew completed 20 of 25 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. That win helped an Eagles team that was not viewed especially highly entering last season into the playoffs.

After replacing an injured Nick Foles as a rookie in 2019, Minshew took over the Jags job for good later that season. In 14 games (12 starts) in 2019, the former Mike Leach pupil surprised most by throwing 21 touchdown passes compared to six interceptions. QBR rated Minshew in the bottom five that year, however, and the Jags went 1-7 in his 2020 starts en route to securing the following year’s No. 1 overall pick.

A multigame audition this season, backed by a well-built Eagles roster, could put Minshew on the radar to be a potential bridge option or at least up his value as a backup on the market. The Eagles host the Saints and Giants to close the season.

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