It’s Week 16, folks. That magical time of year when fantasy football dreams go to die, and NFL rosters look more like a MASH unit than a professional sports team. The Indianapolis Colts are no exception as they gear up for a showdown with the San Francisco 49ers, and Head Coach Shane Steichen dropped a mixed bag of injury news before Thursday’s practice that has Colts fans feeling cautiously optimistic. Or maybe just confused. Let’s break it down.
Anthony Richardson: The Return Of the King (Sort Of)
First up, the headline grabber: Anthony Richardson is back on the practice field for the Colts. Cue the angelic choir. Or maybe hold off on that for a second. While seeing him back in cleats is a sight for sore eyes, don’t go rushing to the waiver wire just yet.
Steichen confirmed that Richardson’s return opens up that 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster. But here’s the kicker—he’s already been ruled out for this week’s game against San Francisco. It feels a bit like seeing a present under the tree that says, “Do Not Open Until 2026.” It’s great he’s moving around, but for now, he’s strictly in observation mode. We’re all rooting for the kid, but patience remains the name of the game here.
DeForest Buckner
In better news for the defense, the big man in the middle, DeForest Buckner, is practicing today. After missing four games on injured reserve with a neck issue, he returned to the field last week but sat out against Seattle.
Buckner practicing on a Thursday is a massive green light. The Colts’ defense without him is like a burger without the patty—just a lot of condiments sliding around with no substance. Having him back in the trenches changes the entire complexion of that front line. If he can go against his old team, the 49ers, expect him to play with a little extra juice.
The Sauce Gardner Situation and Raimann’s Elbow
Now for the “yikes” portion of the update. Sauce Gardner isn’t practicing today. Seeing one of the league’s premier corners on the sideline this late in the week is enough to make any defensive coordinator sweat through their hoodie. If he can’t go, the secondary is going to have to get creative against a Niners offense that loves to exploit mismatches.
Adding to the headache, Left Tackle Bernhard Raimann is also a spectator today. He exited the Seattle game with an elbow injury, and let’s be honest, you kind of need your elbows to block NFL pass rushers. If he’s out, the protection for whoever is under center becomes a serious question mark.
Steichen pulled the classic coaching card regarding both players, saying it’s “too early to know” if they’ll play. Translation: “I’m hoping for a miracle, but I’m also preparing my backup plans.”
Riley Leonard: The Survivor
Finally, a little ray of sunshine. Backup Quarterback Riley Leonard seems to have survived his knee scare. Despite popping up on the injury report last week, he suited up against Seattle and is reportedly clear of the injury now. It might not seem like earth-shattering news, but in a league where attrition is the real MVP, having a healthy backup QB is a luxury not every team has right now.
The Bottom Line
So, where does that leave us? We’ve got a returning franchise QB who won’t play, a star defensive tackle who probably will, and two key starters whose status is about as clear as mud. Welcome to late-December football in Indianapolis. Buckle up, Colts fans, it will be a bumpy ride.
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