Anthony Richardson might be the backup quarterback, but the news about his groin issue this week has Colts fans biting their nails, even with head coach Shane Steichen saying he *should be fine* for Sunday night’s game. You never want to hear about your QB, even your QB2, tweaking something, especially when it happens during something as routine as lifting weights. That’s just wild, right? It definitely makes you wonder about the bigger picture for their depth chart, especially this early in the season.
The QB Depth Chart Drama
Look, Richardson sitting out Wednesday practice with that groin issue? That’s not a good look, no matter how much Steichen tries to downplay it. He told reporters Richardson “should be fine to be available on Sunday,” which is a statement that sounds reassuring on the surface, but also leaves a lot of room for doubt. “Should be fine” isn’t a “he’s 100%,” is it? It’s a classic coach-speak move, trying to manage expectations while probably holding his breath. It’s even crazier to hear he tweaked it *lifting weights* earlier this week. That’s just bad luck, man, but it’s still an injury that impacts practice time and game availability. With Daniel Jones as their starter, you’re always just one hit away from needing your backup. And while they do have Riley Leonard as their third quarterback on the roster, you absolutely want your top backup ready to roll without any question marks hanging over his head. This isn’t just about Sunday; it’s about having a reliable plan B, C, and D for a long season.
Receiver Woes Pile Up
And if the QB situation wasn’t enough to make you sweat, the Colts’ receiving corps just took a hit, too. Head coach Steichen confirmed what we were fearing: Ashton Dulin is ruled out for Week 2 against the Chiefs with an ankle injury. Not only is he out for this week, but they’re calling him “week-to-week.” That means this isn’t some minor bump or bruise, this is something that could sideline him for a while. He didn’t even practice at all this week, which tells you everything you need to know about the severity. Losing a guy like that, especially early in the season, really tests your depth. Every team deals with injuries, sure, but losing a receiver like Dulin for an extended period, right when you’re trying to find your rhythm, stings.
The one silver lining here, if you can call it that, is Alec Pierce. He was dealing with a heel issue and missed Thursday’s practice, but the good news is he was back out there practicing on Friday. That’s huge. Steichen says he “appears on track to play,” and honestly, they’re gonna need him. The full injury report with all the game statuses drops later on Friday, but for now, Pierce being good to go is probably the only bit of positive news out of that receiving room.
So, Sunday night’s matchup against the Chiefs is going to be interesting, to say the least. With questions swirling around Richardson’s groin and Dulin definitely out, the Colts have their work cut out for them. They’re coming off a Week 1 letdown, so they really need to show up and prove something. Keep an eye on that final injury report later today. This game could hinge on who’s actually healthy enough to make a difference.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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