Andrew Luck's Legacy Impacting Anthony Richardson?

The Indianapolis Colts lost Andrew Luck prematurely to retirement. Will that shape their handling of Anthony Richardson's injury?

Andrew Luck was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He had a 53-33 record for the franchise before he abruptly retired in following the 2018 season.

He played just six seasons in the NFL and went to four Pro Bowls, but he called it quits early due to long-term injury concerns.

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

The Colts have been searching for an answer at quarterback since Luck retired. They used the No. 4 overall pick in April's draft on Anthony Richardson. The early returns have been better than expected, but Richardson ability to stay healthy has been a concern.

He only finished one his four starts and is now facing season-ending shoulder surgery.

In an article on ESPN+, Jeremy Fowler wrote the legacy of Luck will help determine how the Colts handle Richardson and his injury moving forward.

"One thing is clear with the Colts' approach to quarterback Anthony Richardson: They learned from Andrew Luck," wrote Fowler on ESPN+. "Indy's brass wants to handle his future delicately and take zero chances with his right shoulder injury, as owner Jim Irsay told ESPN's Stephen Holder that Richardson will likely undergo season-ending surgery. That hasn't been decided yet but appears to be the logical step.

"As one person involved in the talks about Richardson's injury told me, the Colts are adamant that they avoid a repeat. They are very sold on Richardson's trajectory so far and don't want to jeopardize it. So the Colts' comfort with shelving Richardson is a nod to the future outlook of the position, and one that Richardson understands, even if he wants to play."

Richardson's trajectory looks promising, but to reach those heights he'll need to avoid the rash of injuries that have sidelined him at various times this season. The shoulder injury may be the blow that ends his rookie campaign, but the concussion he suffered in Week 2 is not to be dismissed. 

The Colts seems adamant not to fall victim to Winston Churchill's famous quote - "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

The Colts have learned from the legacy of Andrew Luck and are hoping that will be enough to avoid a repeat of history with Anthony Richardson.

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube