RICHARDSON OUT SUNDAY, THEN TBD
The Indianapolis Colts know one thing about Anthony Richardson’s shoulder injury: It will keep him out of next weekend’s game at Jacksonville.
Everything else remains unclear.
One day after the rookie quarterback injured the AC joint in his right shoulder on an awkward 4-yard run against Tennessee, coach Shane Steichen announced Gardner Minshew would make his second start of the season, this time against his former team.
“It’s tough,” Steichen said, referring to the latest injury. “You know a guy gets dinged up like he gets dinged up and he’s, obviously, a very talented player and it’s tough. But you know we’ve got a lot of faith in Gardner to step in and go operate the way he has been.”
Minshew is getting used to being the quarterback on call.
He’s won three of the four Colts games he’s appeared in, two in relief of the injured Richardson, while completing nearly 69 percent of his throws without an interception. He spent his first two NFL seasons with the Jaguars (3-2).
The bigger concern in Indy (3-2) is Richardson’s long-term health.
He missed the final minute of his pro debut, a loss to the Jaguars, with a bruised knee and sore ankle. He entered the concussion protocol during the first half of a Week 2 win at Houston before sitting out a Week 3 overtime victory at Baltimore while still in the protocol.
Now it’s his throwing shoulder. Steichen said the Colts are still collecting medical information before providing a timetable or talking about treatment options.
“We’re still evaluating all that stuff and once we get more information on it, we’ll let you know,” he said when asked whether a trip to injured reserve or surgery were possible.
Richardson would miss at least four weeks if he goes on injured reserve.
Indy selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft following his performance at the league’s annual scouting combine. And though some considered the former Florida prep star and Gators star a project after starting only 13 college games, Richardson has made a relatively smooth transition to the NFL.
Dak: ‘most humbling game’
The frustration from back-to-back playoff losses to San Francisco that both ended on odd plays turned to humiliation for the Cowboys on Sunday.
Hoping to prove themselves against a fellow NFC contender in a showdown against the 49ers, the Cowboys were run off the field almost from the start of a 42-10 loss, the most lopsided ever for Dallas in this storied rivalry.
“It’s a punch in the gut, it’s a kick the in the (butt), whatever phrase you want to put on it,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “They beat us in all three phases.”
Dak Prescott was under pressure from San Francisco’s relentless defense right from the start. The Cowboys (3-2) began the game with three three-and-outs and a lost fumble by Tony Pollard and in the second half Prescott threw three interceptions in a span of just six offensive plays.
“Didn’t see it coming,” Prescott said. “Put everything into this, and got punched in the mouth. It was humbling a couple weeks ago against Arizona. But this may be the most humbling game I’ve ever been a part of.
“Felt good about the preparation, felt good about everything honestly coming into this game and they beat us in every aspect.”
Notable
The Seahawks expect safety Jamal Adams to be cleared from the concussion protocol in the next couple of days and to play this week against Cincinnati, coach
Pete Carroll said Monday.
The Seahawks returned from their bye week with a light practice to begin their preparations for the Bengals. Adams did not participate, but Carroll said the hope is he’ll be back on the field in a couple of days.
“He’s on the final stage, coming up, getting cleared and a pretty promising thought that he will be cleared (Tuesday),” Carroll said.
• Browns quarterback
Deshaun Watson was not practicing Monday following the team’s bye week and after he missed the previous game with an injured right shoulder.
Watson remained inside the team’s facility while his teammates worked outdoors. He sat out Cleveland’s 28-3 loss to Baltimore on Oct. 1 with a bruised shoulder.
The 28-year-old Watson had been expected to play against the Ravens despite not throwing any passes during practices leading into the game. However, he was unable to throw with any velocity in a pregame workout.