INDIANAPOLIS, October 23, 2026 — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession following a traffic stop in Carmel, Indiana, where police reportedly discovered marijuana and THC-infused gummies inside his vehicle.
The incident took place on October 12, but the charge was not filed until October 19, according to court documents first reported by FOX59/CBS4.
What initially appeared to be a routine stop over an expired vehicle registration developed into a police search that left the former No. 4 overall NFL draft pick temporarily handcuffed on the roadside.
Richardson was not arrested at the scene. He was allowed to leave after the encounter and subsequently received a summons to appear in court.
What Police Found During Anthony Richardson’s Traffic Stop
According to the police account, an officer stopped Richardson’s black 2023 Dodge Charger near Springmill Boulevard and Silver Stream Drive in Carmel, a suburb north of Indianapolis.
The officer reportedly discovered that the vehicle’s registration had expired and was assigned to a different car.
As the officer approached Richardson’s vehicle, the smell of marijuana reportedly became noticeable.
When questioned about the odor, Richardson allegedly acknowledged that he had smoked marijuana inside the vehicle.
His explanation, detailed in the police affidavit, was that he did not want to smoke marijuana at home in front of his children.
Richardson also reportedly informed the officer that he had a small amount of marijuana inside the car.
Officers asked the quarterback to step outside and temporarily placed him in handcuffs while conducting a vehicle search.
During that search, police reportedly recovered two items:
- A small mason jar containing a substance believed to be marijuana.
- An opened package of THC-infused gummies.
According to local reporting, both items subsequently tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
The discovery led to the marijuana possession allegation. Richardson also received a citation connected to the expired vehicle registration.
Although the police account mentions Richardson having smoked marijuana in his vehicle, it does not establish that he was impaired while driving. No impaired-driving charge has been reported in connection with the October 12 stop.
The distinction is important because possessing marijuana and operating a vehicle while impaired are separate legal issues.
Colts QB Faces January Court Date as NFL Future Remains Uncertain
Prosecutors formally filed the misdemeanor possession charge against Richardson on Monday, October 19, seven days after the traffic stop.
He had initially been scheduled for a court hearing on December 9, but that hearing was subsequently waived.
Online court records cited by local reporters show that a bench trial has been scheduled for January 4, 2027, in Carmel City Court.
A bench trial means the case would be heard and decided by a judge rather than a jury, assuming it proceeds as scheduled.
Marijuana possession remains illegal under Indiana law. However, the filing of a misdemeanor charge does not establish guilt, and the outcome of Richardson’s case remains undetermined.
The Indianapolis Colts have acknowledged the situation. In a statement reported by ESPN, the team said it was aware of the matter and was gathering additional information.
The organization did not announce disciplinary action against Richardson in its initial response.
For the 24-year-old quarterback, the legal case arrives during an already uncertain chapter of his professional career.
Richardson was selected fourth overall by Indianapolis in the 2023 NFL Draft after attracting national attention during his college career with the Florida Gators.
At 6 feet 4 inches and approximately 244 pounds, he entered the league with exceptional physical attributes, including a powerful throwing arm and outstanding rushing ability.
His athletic potential made him one of the most closely watched quarterback prospects in the 2023 draft class.
But translating that potential into consistent NFL performances has proved difficult.
Richardson’s rookie season was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery. During the 2024 season, he recorded 1,814 passing yards and eight touchdown passes in 11 appearances, alongside 499 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, injuries, passing inconsistency and competition for the starting position have complicated his development.
In September 2026, Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Richardson would serve as the team’s backup quarterback behind Daniel Jones, with Riley Leonard occupying the third quarterback spot.
The decision followed a preseason competition between Richardson and Leonard.
Richardson responded positively to the team’s decision, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute as the backup quarterback.
Another significant development came earlier in 2026, when Richardson and his representatives requested a trade.
Despite that request, the quarterback remained with Indianapolis.
The Colts also declined Richardson’s fifth-year contract option, which would have guaranteed him approximately $22.48 million for the 2027 season.
That decision means Richardson’s long-term future with Indianapolis remains unresolved, independently of the pending marijuana possession case.
The incident comes during a season in which another Colts player, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, also faced misdemeanor charges following an August arrest involving suspected impaired driving. The two matters are unrelated.
Elsewhere in the NFL, off-field incidents have continued to generate attention. The Tennessee Titans recently released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott following an alleged firearm-related confrontation involving a teammate, another example of how player incidents can become significant stories beyond the field.
Richardson’s situation, however, involves a different set of circumstances, and any possible response from Indianapolis or the NFL must be considered separately from the pending court proceedings.
The NFL’s approach to marijuana has changed substantially under its collective bargaining policies. A misdemeanor possession allegation does not automatically establish grounds for a suspension, and any potential disciplinary consequences would depend on the applicable league rules and facts of the case.
As of October 23, no NFL suspension linked to this incident had been confirmed in the reporting reviewed.
Several questions remain unanswered, including whether the case will proceed to trial in January, whether Richardson will make a public statement addressing the allegations, and whether the Colts will take any additional action.
For now, Richardson remains a former top-five draft pick attempting to rebuild his standing in the NFL while dealing with a separate legal matter away from football.
Anthony Richardson Sr. has been charged but has not been convicted. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Reporting & Sources
This report draws on court records and police affidavit details reported by FOX59/CBS4 Indianapolis, with additional coverage from Yahoo Sports and local reporting by WIBC. Richardson’s career background and team status were cross-referenced with the Indianapolis Colts’ official player profile and NFL records.
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