Indianapolis

Colts

Chris Ballard has emphasized lately that he “still thinks Richardson has something to offer.” We can certainly see the logic behind the Colts not doing another team a favor by letting Richardson become a free agent, but if there’s no market here, it seems likely that Richardson will likely just be the team’s third quarterback this season behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard.

Abdullah will be 33 at the start of next season and spent all of last season with the Colts after being waived by the 49ers during training camp. The veteran running back will have to compete for a spot on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster, but could have some value as a return man. Abdullah returned 19 kicks for 563 yards for the Colts last season, and is the active leader in career kick returns and kick return yards at 4,346. We wouldn’t expect him to have much, if any, value as a running back even if he does crack the Week 1 roster.

With starting QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) rehabbing his season-ending injury from last year, presumed QB2 Riley Leonard will receive extra snaps this spring. When asked today if Richardson will be allowed to compete with Leonard for the QB2 role, Steichen “quickly sidestepped the topic,” prompting multiple follow-up questions from reporters. Steichen also “did not give a direct answer” when asked if Richardson has any limitations in his previously injured eye. A reporter followed up on the latter issue, but Steichen “simply repeated that the QB is ‘cleared to play.’” This doesn’t give us a whole lot to go on, but we expect reporters to follow up with Steichen and potentially Richardson on the matter. Boyd notably reported in February that Richardson had regained full vision in his right eye. We hope the initial reporting is indeed true.

Steichen notes, though, that “the team will be cautious” with Jones. A little over two weeks ago, we learned that Jones was dropping back and throwing the football. It sounds like that process is going well, and his rehab continues. We do not yet know if he will be able to play early in the season. Colts QB Riley Leonard is penciled in as Jones’ backup. It is unclear whether QB Anthony Richardson will be allowed to compete for the No. 2 role. The Athletic’s James Boyd believes “questions still remain about his recovery from a right eye injury.”

Bullock, 25, joined the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent last year, appearing in two games as a defender and playing extensively on special teams. Bullock briefly spent time with the Colts this offseason, but they waived him yesterday. The Buccaneers were evidently eager to bring him back.

Adderley signed with the Colts on April 14th following a three-year retirement stint. He last played for the Chargers in 2022 and posted a 62.2 PFF defense grade that season. While another team could certainly sign him, the short-lived return does not bode well for him. Another retirement announcement could be on the way. The Colts also waived LB John Bullock.

Moore broke up three passes, logged one interception, 41 tackles, three quarterback pressures and two sacks last year, while also missing Weeks 4-6 with an Achilles injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter curiously listed Moore as a safety when breaking news of the release. Moore lined up as a slot cornerback on 62.1 percent of his 7,742 career snaps. He played perimeter cornerback (21.1 percent) and lined up as a box defender (12.2 percent) as well, but rarely played free safety (0.7 percent). Perhaps his camp believes a position switch could extend his career. Moore’s agent was given permission by the team to seek out a potential trade partner on April 10th, but a deal never materialized. The Colts saved $7.06 million this season by releasing him.

Richardson stayed away during the previous two weeks, but showed up on Monday to join the team. The former No. 4 overall pick, who recently had his fifth-year option declined, is hoping to be traded or released before the start of next season, but he doesn’t appear to be on the move at this time. With second-year QB Riley Leonard expected to see most of the first-team reps while Daniel Jones continues to recover from his Achilles injury, Richardson will likely handle backup duties during drills if he continues to report. Richardson is in the final year of his rookie deal and appeared in only two games last season, completing 1-of-2 passes for nine yards.

He mentions Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and seventh-round pick Deion Burks as possible competition for the spot. We also (our speculation) wouldn’t rule out the Colts picking up one of the several as-of-yet unsigned free agents like Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, or Stefon Diggs. Westbrook-Ikhine has flashed big touchdown upside in the past and would be the most fantasy-useful player in this group if he wins a role.

With Tyler Goodson gone, Giddens is the incumbent and has the higher draft capital, so we’re surprised to see a beat writer giving some leeway to the idea that McGowan could be the backup right away. Neither player figures to play much without a Jonathan Taylor injury, but they could be interesting contingency holds in deeper leagues.