Colts minicamp begins with QB Anthony Richardson sidelined (shoulder), thrusting Daniel Jones into the spotlight. How will this unexpected QB situation shape the 2025 season?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The grass is green, the pads are (almost) on, and the Indianapolis Colts are officially back to work for mandatory minicamp. But as the team took the field Tuesday, the most important player for their future was nowhere to be seen. Quarterback Anthony Richardson remains sidelined, nursing a sore throwing shoulder, casting a significant shadow over the start of a crucial week and handing a golden opportunity to free agent signing Daniel Jones.
The entire trajectory of the 2025 season hinges on one right shoulder, and right now, the Colts are wisely choosing patience over pressure.
Let's not bury the lede: Anthony Richardson is not practicing. After experiencing soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder during OTAs on May 29, the team is holding him out of this week's three-day minicamp. Head Coach Shane Steichen has expressed hope that AR will be ready for the start of training camp on July 22, but for now, it's a waiting game. This absence swings the spotlight directly onto Daniel Jones, who is now taking all the first-team reps. For Jones, this is an invaluable chance to build chemistry with the starting offense and prove he can be more than just an insurance policy. Every crisp pass and confident huddle call he makes this week will be scrutinized as he makes his case in the most unexpected quarterback competition in the league.
While the on-field situation is fluid, the front office saw a landmark moment on Tuesday. The Colts officially announced the planned ownership transition, with Jim Irsay's daughters now leading the franchise. Carlie Irsay-Gordon is the new Owner & CEO and the team's principal owner, with her sisters Casey Foyt (Owner & EVP) and Kalen Jackson (Owner & Chief Brand Officer) sharing leadership duties. This isn't a sudden change but the fulfillment of a long-established succession plan, ensuring the team remains in the family for another generation. It marks the formal start of a new chapter for the organization, one that begins with a significant quarterback question.
Beyond the main headlines, minicamp brought other notable developments. The Colts are kicking the tires on several veterans, with eight players in on a tryout basis. The most recognizable name is quarterback Desmond Ridder, adding another arm to the camp roster and a bit of intrigue to the backup situation. On the media front, tight end Tyler Warren stepped up to the podium. With the team looking for contributors in the passing game, hearing from young players like Warren provides a glimpse into the locker room's mindset as they navigate this early-season uncertainty.
The next two days will offer a clearer picture of where Daniel Jones stands and which other players are ready to make a leap. But all eyes will ultimately turn to the calendar, counting down the days to July 22. The start of training camp will bring the next, and most important, update on Anthony Richardson's health. Until then, Colts fans are left to watch, wait, and hope that their franchise quarterback is on the mend.
