Anthony Richardson Faces Marijuana Possession Charge: What Is Confirmed

Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in Indiana after an October 12 traffic stop. The charge was filed Monday, according to an Associated Press report published by NFL.com. The direct answer is limited but important: a charge has been filed, the Colts say they are gathering information, and neither the team nor the NFL has announced discipline.

This story should not be treated as a conviction or as proof of a future roster move. The public record described in the report establishes an allegation and the contents of a police affidavit. Richardson's attorney declined to comment, and the legal process remains unresolved. Football Nation will keep those boundaries clear.

What the filing says

According to the affidavit summarized by the Associated Press, an officer stopped Richardson because the vehicle had an expired registration tag and the displayed license plate did not match the registration. The officer wrote that he smelled marijuana when he approached the vehicle.

The affidavit says Richardson acknowledged smoking marijuana inside the vehicle and told the officer that a small amount was present. The officer reported finding material believed to be marijuana and five marijuana gummies in a container in the glove compartment. Those details are allegations recorded in the affidavit, not independent findings by Football Nation.

Richardson faces a misdemeanor possession charge. NFL.com reported that the filing occurred Monday. No court resolution, plea or finding of guilt was announced in the source available at the information cutoff.

What the Colts confirmed

Indianapolis issued a short statement saying the organization was aware of the situation and was gathering additional information. The club declined further comment. That means the team has not announced a suspension, fine, deactivation or change to Richardson's depth-chart status.

The NFL also had not announced league discipline at the information cutoff. Any future action would need to be evaluated through an official transaction, league statement or clearly attributed reporting. A misdemeanor filing by itself does not establish what the Colts or league will decide.

Why the timing matters for Richardson

Richardson is already at a difficult career crossroads. The former No. 4 overall pick has not appeared in a game since October 5, 2025. Daniel Jones won the starting job in 2025 and has taken every Indianapolis offensive snap this season after returning from his Achilles injury. Richardson beat Riley Leonard for the backup position this summer, but he remains outside the current starting plan.

NFL.com's account says Richardson has requested a trade twice. Those requests, the recent firing of general manager Chris Ballard and the new legal issue create three separate questions that should not be collapsed into one conclusion. Indianapolis must decide Richardson's football future. The court must handle the charge. The NFL and Colts must decide whether their policies require any additional response.

The practical roster consequence is uncertainty, not an immediate vacancy. Richardson remains the listed backup unless the Colts say otherwise. Leonard's role changes only if Indianapolis makes a transaction or announces a disciplinary decision.

What this does not establish

The charge does not establish impairment while driving, and the cited NFL.com report identifies the filed count as marijuana possession. Football Nation will not add allegations that are absent from the public source. It also would be premature to predict a suspension, release or trade based only on the filing.

The case is separate from Richardson's earlier injuries and performance history. Those factors matter to his roster value, but they do not determine the legal outcome. Likewise, the legal filing may influence organizational planning without automatically ending his Colts tenure.

What happens next

The next authoritative checkpoints are the Hamilton County court record, a statement from Richardson or his attorney, and any formal response from Indianapolis or the NFL. A roster transaction would be a football development. A hearing, plea or dismissal would be a legal development. Each should be reported on its own terms.

For Week 7, Jones remains the Colts starter. Unless the club changes Richardson's status, there is no reason to alter the starting-quarterback projection against Minnesota. The more immediate football effect is on backup certainty if Indianapolis decides he should not dress.

Football Nation conclusion

This is a consequential story because it involves a former top-five pick already facing uncertainty about his future with the franchise. The responsible conclusion is not that Richardson is finished in Indianapolis. It is that a new legal issue has been added to an already complicated football situation.

Treat the filed charge as confirmed, the affidavit details as allegations attributed to the public record and every disciplinary or roster consequence as unresolved. The next update should come from the court, the Colts or the NFL rather than speculation.

Sources and verification

Primary source: Associated Press report published by NFL.com on October 23, 2026. Material claims checked October 24, 2026 at 6:17 a.m. CT. Comparison period: the October 12 traffic stop through the filing and team statement reported October 23. Source URL: https://www.nfl.com/news/colts-qb-anthony-richardson-faces-marijuana-possession-charge-after-traffic-stop-in-indiana