Colts Backup Anthony Richardson Charged With Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession After Traffic Stop

Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson was charged Monday with misdemeanor marijuana possession, stemming from an Oct. 12 traffic stop in Hamilton County. The Anthony Richardson marijuana charge was filed by the Hamilton County prosecutor’s office.

How the Traffic Stop Unfolded

The stop began because the vehicle had an expired registration tag, and the license plate did not match the registration on file. When the officer approached the car, a marijuana odor was detected.

Richardson told the officer he had smoked in the vehicle to avoid smoking around children. He also said a small amount of marijuana was inside, according to the account of the stop.

A search of the glove compartment turned up a small Mason jar. Inside were leafy green material believed to be marijuana and five marijuana gummies.

Team and Attorney Responses

The Colts issued a brief statement saying the organization is aware of the situation and is gathering information. The team declined further comment. Richardson’s attorney, James Voyles, also declined to comment.

Richardson remains on the Colts roster as the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones.

A Season Without Snaps

Richardson has not played since Oct. 5, 2025. His absence follows a fractured orbital bone near his right eye, suffered when a broken stretching band hit him in the locker room. Before that injury, he had appeared in two games this season and thrown two total passes.

Jones has taken every snap for the Colts since returning from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered last December. The Colts are 2-4.

Career Marked by Injuries and Inconsistency

Indianapolis selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Florida. He won the starting job in his first training camp but appeared in only four games as a rookie before a season-ending shoulder injury.

In 2024, he started a career-high 11 games. His completion rate was 47.7%, the lowest among NFL starters, and he threw eight touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. He also briefly removed himself from a game and later said he was tired.

This summer, Richardson lost the starting job to Jones in training camp but beat out Riley Leonard for the backup role. He has made two trade requests during his time with the team.

Front-Office Change and Richardson’s Reaction

The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard earlier this week. Ballard was the GM who drafted Richardson in 2023. On Wednesday, Richardson said he was disappointed by the firing and expressed gratitude for Ballard’s belief in him. He added that he wants to prove Ballard’s draft decision was correct and that he is trying to improve weekly while waiting for an opportunity.

The marijuana charge remains pending, and no court date or potential penalties have been disclosed.