When Warmup Elastic Bands Attack: NFL Bust Anthony Richardson’s Latest Chapter in Misfortunate Career

Gosh Anthony Richardson just can’t catch a break. If you told someone that a former first-round draft pick would be taken to the hospital after a freak accident with a workout band, they’d probably laugh in your face. But for the Indianapolis Colts and their snake-bitten quarterback, Anthony Richardson, this is just another Sunday.

The Colts backup quarterback was a last-minute scratch for the game against the Arizona Cardinals, and the initial reports were as vague as a politician’s promise. It turns out, Richardson was in a local hospital dealing with something straight out of a Final Destination movie.

How Did Anthony Richardson Get Injured?

During pregame warmups in the locker room, Richardson was reportedly using an elastic resistance band attached to a wall apparatus. As he was stretching, the device malfunctioned, and the band snapped back, smacking him squarely in the face. The result? A fractured orbital bone. Yes, you read that correctly. A broken bone in his face from a piece of workout equipment. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning while cashing in a winning lottery ticket.

This isn’t just bad luck; it’s a level of misfortune that feels almost biblical. For a player whose career has been a revolving door of injuries, this latest setback is both bizarre and brutally frustrating. Just when you think Richardson might be turning a corner or at least getting a moment to breathe, the universe conspires to throw another anvil his way. He spent the entire game—a 31-27 nail-biter of a win for the Colts—in a hospital bed.

Another Setback in a Rocky Career

Let’s be honest, the Anthony Richardson saga has been a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. Since being drafted, the man has collected injuries like they’re going out of style. We’re talking multiple shoulder issues, a finger dislocation, a concussion, and lower-back sprains. Heck he even sat out a play because he was “tired”. His time in the NFL so far has been less about lighting up the scoreboard and more about lighting up the team’s injury report.

He lost his starting job to Daniel Jones before the season even started, and his first two years have been a cocktail of inconsistent play and trips to the medical tent. With an 8-7 record as a starter, he’s thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11). Now, just as he was settling into his role as the backup, this crazy incident happens.

Its Time To Face Facts: Richardson Is One Of The Biggest Busts In Colts History

One thing is for sure: Anthony Richardson is an absolute bust, and there is no argument. He’s gonna go down as one of the biggest busts in Colts history. Taken 4th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, he has not lived up to expectations, and it won’t work for him in Indianapolis. The biggest mistake Richardson ever made was declaring when he did, as he was nowhere near ready for the NFL with how raw of a player he is. Along with the injuries and attitude issues, his career has not gone as planned in the NFL, and he needs a change of scenery to save his NFL career.

What’s Next for the Colts?

With Richardson sidelined indefinitely—because who puts a timeline on a freak orbital fracture?—the Colts are once again shuffling the deck. Rookie sixth-round pick Riley Leonard, who led Notre Dame to a national championship appearance, will step into the QB2 role. Leonard looked sharp in the preseason, so at least there’s a silver lining for a team that seems to be cursed with quarterback drama.