Colts give QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade; what we know

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have given former starting quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Thursday.

Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was the opening-day starter in Indianapolis in back-to-back seasons, but a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness led to the Colts seeking competition for the job.

Daniel Jones won the starting job after a training-camp battle last season, then turned in the best season of his career before suffering a  torn Achilles tendon.

Richardson is still recovering from a freak accident with a resistance band last October that caused him to deal with visual issues in his right eye, although the Colts quarterback has been cleared to play football again, according to general manager Chris Ballard.