INDIANAPOLIS -- The last meaningful NFL snaps Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. played came in Week 16 of the 2024 season.
And the 19 months since that Dec. 22 win over the Tennessee Titans have felt like a lifetime.
First, severe back spasms kept Richardson out of the final two games of the 2024 season. The next spring, the Colts signed Richardson's eventual replacement, Daniel Jones, who recently signed an $88 million contract extension to remain the team's quarterback.
Richardson also sustained a scary eye injury in a freak pregame accident last October, leaving his vision temporarily impaired and sidelining him for the rest of the season. And, most recently, Richardson -- sensing his time in Indianapolis was nearing its end -- requested a trade from the Colts after a February meeting with the club.
The series of setbacks and sideshows seemed to never stop. Maybe that's why Richardson was so enthusiastic about his opportunities to play in the preseason the past two weeks, something that might once have appeared trivial for a former No. 4 draft pick.
"Just getting back out there after sitting down for a while with the eye injury, going to see a lot of different doctors, getting back in the groove of practice, putting pads back on, just being back out there on the field and just doing it," he said, the noticeable scar under his eye providing an ever-present reminder. "I definitely needed that."
Others also have sensed it.
"He's had real joy, at least I've seen," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "Going out and playing ball, playing real football. And it is really beneficial for him."
Richardson's career is still somewhat in a state of limbo and many questions remain. Most immediate is whether Richardson or second-year player Riley Leonard will be the team's primary backup behind Jones this season.
It was long thought that Richardson might wind up elsewhere given the team's growing affinity for Leonard and the decision to move on from Richardson as a starter. But Richardson has arguably outplayed Leonard in exhibition games, with Richardson completing 60.9% of his attempts over Leonard's 48.6%. Richardson has also run nine times for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Given Jones' injury history, it's beginning to look as if Richardson might have a role for the Colts even after all that has happened -- including his infamous tapout of a 2024 game, his injuries and his past struggles.
"I'm just looking forward to helping the team," Richardson said. "They truly believe that I still have a chance to be on this squad, and I love that.
"I just want to be able to contribute."
That, it seems, was a reference by Richardson to recent statements made by team officials such as general manager Chris Ballard and assistant general manager Ed Dodds, throwing water on the idea of trading Richardson and strongly suggesting he will remain a key part of the roster.
It might not be the situation Richardson envisioned when he was drafted with the intention of becoming the team's franchise quarterback. But it's a long way from where he was late last year after a bar holding a thick elastic stretching band popped, with the bar hitting him in the face and breaking his orbital bone. Richardson spent weeks at home just waiting for the substantial swelling to subside.
Everything that has happened has brought important perspective. So, Richardson said he has decided to live in the moment.
"Regardless of what's happened in my life, I always dreamed about being in the NFL," he said. "I never knew how my career was going to go. There's been adversity, but I feel like that's what helps people grow. I've been going through a lot of adversity, but that just keeps me pushing forward. I just keep my faith and just work and keep my head down."
Richardson is entering his fourth season, but he's still only 24, making him just a few months older than Leonard. For that reason, Richardson says he believes he can still have the career he expected.
"I'm looking to be the best one day," he said.
But, for now, Richardson gets to play football again. It has helped renew his passion for the game.
"I love football," he said. "Football has done so much for my family. It's brought me here, the best of the best, the NFL. I still love football regardless of what's going on.
"As long as I get to go out there, grab a football, put my pads on, and run around, I thank God for it and I'm excited for it."