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The Colts’ Anthony Richardson SR., Kenny Moore II to Miss OTAs Amid Trade Requests
(By James Boyd)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...chris-ballard/
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts GM Chris Ballard raved Monday about his team’s attendance for the first day of voluntary OTAs, but he noted that there will be two notable absences this spring: quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Kenny Moore II. Both recently requested a trade.
Ballard said the Colts are working with Moore and Richardson to send them to new teams, but he views each player’s situation differently. The GM suggested that Moore’s time in Indy is likely over, regardless of how it officially ends, while leaving the door open for Richardson to potentially return.
“Richardson is down in Jacksonville training,” Ballard said on Monday during his pre-draft news conference. “I actually have talked to his trainer, and I talk to him often and his agent. He’s in good spirits …... will he be here for the 2026 season ??? Well, he could be, but we’ll see.”
The Colts drafted Richardson fourth in 2023, which made him their highest-drafted player since Andrew Luck was selected first in 2012. Richardson flashed his potential early, but injuries, inaccuracy and immaturity limited him to 15 starts through his first two years. He lost his starting job to Daniel Jones last year and became one of Indy’s backups.
Richardson suffered an orbital fracture during a pregame warmup accident in October that left him with impaired vision in his right eye. He was placed on injured reserve, underwent surgery and remained sidelined for the rest of the season. Riley Leonard, a 2025 6th-round pick, has since supplanted Richardson as Indy’s QB2.
Richardson has regained 20/20 vision when using both of his eyes, league sources told
The Athletic in February. His representation also gave the Colts medical documentation to support that claim at the time. But when asked Monday if Richardson has made a full recovery with his vision, Ballard was less definitive.
“He’s still recovering a little bit, but he’s cleared for activity and doing everything,” Ballard said. “So I think that he’s in a good spot.”
Ballard added that Richardson’s vision is “an important aspect” in any trade talks. Richardson has a $10.8 Million salary-cap hit in 2026. If the Colts trade him before June 1, they’d create $5.4 Million in cap space while having to carry $5.4 million in dead money. But if Richardson is not traded, Ballard doesn’t think it would be a distraction to have him rejoin the team because Richardson is “a great teammate” and isn’t “salty” about his situation.
The Colts have until May 1st to pick up Richardson’s 5th-year option, a fully guaranteed $22.5 Million, though it’s unlikely that they’ll exercise it given Richardson’s track record. Ballard said that decision “wasn’t even thought about right now” as he weighs Richardson’s future. Meanwhile, Carolina’s Bryce Young and Houston’s C.J. Stroud, the only other quarterbacks drafted in the 1st round in 2023, have both had their 5th-year options exercised.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I really don’t. You never do,” Ballard said. “I mean, we’ve had some (trade) talks, but nothing’s come to fruition at this time. So, at this point, he’s still an Indianapolis Colt.”
Ballard added he wasn’t “at that point” to consider releasing Richardson or Moore. The Colts wouldn’t get any salary-cap relief by releasing Richardson, so perhaps their only other incentive would be to finally end his underwhelming tenure with the team and allow both sides to move on.
As for Moore, he has a $13.11 Million cap hit in 2026, and Ballard said the veteran will have “some latitude” in how he potentially leaves the team. The Colts could trade or cut Moore before June 1 and create $7.06 Million in cap space with $6.05 Million in dead money, or they could trade or cut him after June 1 and create $9.9 Million in cap space with $3.2 Million in dead money. Regardless of the specifics, the indication from Ballard was that Moore is less likely to remain with the Colts in 2026 than Richardson.
“He just felt like it was time for a change, nothing much more than that,” Ballard said of Moore’s trade request. “And because of our respect level for Kenny, we said OK. It’s not always easy, especially when you get a (player) that’s been a pillar, not only on our team but in our community.”
Moore, a 3-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, went undrafted in 2017 before latching on in Indianapolis and blossoming into a Pro Bowler in 2021. He’s accumulated 21 INT's (including 4 pick-sixes) and 68 passes defensed in 132 games. The 30-year-old, however, played just 76 percent of Indianapolis’s defensive snaps last season, per
Pro Football Reference, a figure that was the lowest mark since Moore’s rookie year.
If the Colts do part ways with Moore, they’ll likely turn to Justin Walley as his replacement in the slot. The 2025 3rd-round pick was poised to be a starter last year during a promising training camp, but tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens and missed his entire rookie season.
“I think most of you know my relationship with (Moore); it’s close,” Ballard said. “And so those are not always easy conversations, but they were respectful and good, and we’ll see how it works out.”
Daniel Jones Update
Ballard did not rule out Jones for OTAs. The Colts’ starting quarterback is about four months removed from surgery to repair the torn right Achilles tendon he suffered in early December. Ballard said Jones is “throwing” and “moving” in hopes of being ready to go by Week 1 in September.
If Jones is limited this spring, Leonard is poised to step in as the Colts’ temporary starter. He relieved Jones after Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Jacksonville and started the season finale at Houston. In those two games, which marked Leonard’s only extended playing time as a rookie, he was 39-for-63 passing for 415 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. He also had 5 carries for 26 yards and 2 TDs.
“I think that it’s a good opportunity for him because all the reps he’s going to get,” Ballard said of Leonard’s increased role in OTAs. “I think that’s always a beneficial thing. And then we’ll see how it plays out with Anthony going forward. And then (we’ll see) if we add anybody else in the draft or after the draft.”
Ballard provided additional health updates on a slew of players, most notably Alec Pierce. The speedy wide receiver, who signed a 4-year, $114 Million contract last month, recently underwent surgery to relieve a nagging ankle injury. He faces a “three-month recovery,” Ballard said, and should be back sometime during training camp.
Ballard also said defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck surgery) won’t be back until training camp; kicker Spencer Shrader (knee) recently kicked a 54-yard field goal and continues to make strides; and safety Hunter Wohler (Lisfranc) and Walley (knee) are near the end of their rehabs and should participate in “most of OTAs,” per Ballard.
Draft Outlook
The Colts do not have a 1st-round pick this year, and that’s unlikely to change. Ballard initially said his team would be “aggressive” when moving around the draft board because Indy has only seven picks, with two on Day 2, but he later clarified.
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