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Picture Lucas Oil Stadium on game day. The thunderous clang of The Anvil echoes, a primal call to arms forged in Indianapolis steel. It’s a sound symbolizing resilience, unity, the relentless grind. But sometimes, that metallic ring isn’t just a call to battle; it can sound an awful lot like a depth chart domino falling. And for Anthony Richardson, the Colts‘ electric but oft-bruised QB, their latest roster move landed with the force of a blindside hit.

Let’s break the huddle. D.J. Montgomery‘s career line reads like a classic NFL journeyman’s tale: 10 games, 6 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD. Solid, not spectacular. But in the ecosystem of an NFL offense, especially one banking on a QB like Richardson who thrives on rhythm and trust, players like Montgomery are the duct tape and baling wire.

Montgomery wasn’t lining up to steal Michael Pittman Jr.’s shine. He was depth. He was a known quantity in the receiver room. More crucially, he was a clutch known quantity. Remember Week 15, 2023? Steelers game? Fourth down, end zone, a crushing drop that could have shattered a lesser player. What did Montgomery do? Came back the very next drive.

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He snagged a 34-yard bomb, turned upfield, and followed it with a 14-yard touchdown – his first in the league. That gritty bounce-back? “That was fun, that was a good feeling. I haven’t had a good feeling like that in a long time.” That’s the kind of resilience you want in your huddle, especially when your starting QB is shaking off the rust (or, say, nursing a recently dislocated pinkie, as Richardson is).

But now, that resilience will have to look that bit harder for snaps in Indianapolis. As the Colts announced, “We have signed free agent DE Marcus Haynes and placed WR D.J. Montgomery on the Injured Reserve list.”

Montgomery was a third-down whisperer, a practice squad warrior who’d earned his stripes and Richardson’s trust in those high-leverage moments. Sending him to IR isn’t just losing a receiver; it’s removing a reliable safety valve, a guy who proved he could deliver when the pocket collapsed and the play broke down.

Enter Marcus Haynes. The new DE arrives via the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas (7 tackles, 1 sack in 2 games this year), carrying a resume etched in practice squad purgatory: Broncos, Texans, Browns, Steelers, all since 2023.

What’s your perspective on:

Is losing D.J. Montgomery a bigger blow to Richardson's rhythm than the Colts anticipated?

Have an interesting take?

A defensive gain, an offensive loss for Richardson

At ODU, he was a workhorse – 102 tackles, 15 sacks, 22 TFLs. He’s the definition of a rotational edge piece, a potential special teamer. A fine signing for defensive depth. But here’s the rub for Richardson: Haynes helps the defense. Montgomery helped him.

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For Richardson, navigating his return and trying to build chemistry in a critical Year 3, it means one fewer reliable target in the rotation, one fewer body to absorb reps in practice, one less known entity he can look for when the play clock winds down. It shrinks the margin for error. Think of it like losing your sure-handed slot receiver in ‘Madden’ right before a crucial third down – suddenly, the playbook feels a little thinner, the reads a little riskier.

Head Coach Shane Steichen, architect of offenses built on precision and adaptability (“We’re going to throw to score points and run to win”), understands the value of every chess piece. He builds on pillars of Character, Preparation, Consistency, and Relentlessness.

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Losing Montgomery, even a depth piece, chips away at that preparation and consistency for his QB. It forces others – maybe an unproven rookie or a practice squad call-up – to step up faster than planned. For a QB like Richardson, whose own journey has been punctuated by breathtaking athleticism and frustrating injuries, having fewer established, trusted options around him isn’t ideal. It’s not about Haynes’ potential; it’s about the immediate, net loss on Richardson’s side of the ball.

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The Anvil’s ring signifies toughness. Richardson embodies it, trying to grip the ball with a dislocated pinkie because that’s what competitors do. But even the toughest QBs need reliable outlets. Today, with Montgomery heading to the sidelines of uncertainty, Anthony Richardson’s path to rediscovering his rhythm just got a little steeper, the pocket a little less forgiving. The Colts might be bolstering their defense, but for their franchise QB, this roster move feels less like reinforcement and more like an unexpected gap in his protection.

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Is losing D.J. Montgomery a bigger blow to Richardson's rhythm than the Colts anticipated?

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