Colts' Anthony Richardson celebrates return after freak eye injury

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson saw his first regular-season NFL action since Week 5 of the 2025 campaign in his team's 42-7Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.Richardson played sparingly in the blowout loss, but he came out of the game grateful for the opportunity to return to the field after a scary eye injury he suffered during the 2025 season."There were definitely times where I would go to the doctor, and they would tell me they don't know if I'm getting my vision back," Richardson told reporters during a postgame media availability. "Stuff like that. So, I'm just grateful that I even just get a chance to go out there and throw a pass."Richardson originally injured his right eye in a freak accident while working with a resistance band in pregame warmups ahead of the Colts' Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals during the 2025 season. He fractured his orbital bone during the ordeal and missed the remainder of the season because of the injury.But now, the 24-year-old is healthy. He has served as the primary backup to Daniel Jones across each of the first eight weeks of the 2026 NFL season and is thrilled to be able to occupy that role."There was a day and a time where this wasn't promised for me," Richardson told reporters. "So, like I said, I'm grateful for it. Just thankful.".oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}"I would go to the doctor, and they would tell me they don't know if I'm getting my vision back."Powerful comments from #Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson on his recovery from his eye injury last year.Richardson saw his first game action of the season today vs. Jaguars. https://t.co/n3mChczx0u— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) November 1, 2026Richardson completed each of the two passes he attempted while adding four yards on two carries in his limited action against the Jaguars.Could Richardson get more extensive chances moving forward? Colts coach Shane Steichen wouldn't commit to Jones as the team's starting quarterback when asked about his status following the blowout loss."I'm gonna evaluate everything, every position, going forward," Steichen said when discussing Jones.Even if the Colts stick with Jones for now, it would hardly surprise to see them eventually give Richardson a chance to eventually prove himself. The team is sitting at 2-6 after eight weeks of action, so giving the 24-year-old free-agent-to-be a chance to prove himself could prove prudent as Indianapolis evaluates its future.Richardson last made an NFL start in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season in a 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans.All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colts' Anthony Richardson celebrates return after freak eye injury