WESTFIELD – Colts owner Jim Irsay was sitting in a golf cart during a training camp practice, speaking for the first time publicly in 2024 and raving about the potential of his offense when the rush of the crowd became too much to shout over.

To his right on a grass field, Anthony Richardson was scrambling right, evading pressure and uncorking a deep pass to Josh Downs, who corralled the ball through contact and slipped past for the touchdown. The fans at Grand Park Sports Complex were enjoying it, and the owner decided to lean in a little, too.

"It was real tough having the injury last year, but he showed already the potential he has," Irsay said. "It's so exciting to see him out here."

These practices are the first glimpses of Richardson in live settings since Week 5 of his rookie season, when he took a designed run against the Titans and felt his shoulder pop. An A/C joint sprain required surgery and ended his debut season after just 84 pass attempts, and the rash of health scares that included a brain injury against the Texans fueled a conversation about whether his dual-threat playing style can be sustainable across a 17-game NFL season.

So far, the Colts are preaching caution to him as far as steering clear of defenders as much as possible when a play is clearly over, but coach Shane Steichen has also emphasized that the offense is not going to live in its fears.

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“People ask this, too, a lot, it’s just like: ‘Hey, are you going to limit the run game?’” Steichen said. “I kind of think, like, shoot, are you going to limit Steph Curry from shooting 3-pointers? Well, that’s one of Anthony’s strengths, right? So we’re not going to get away from that. That’s what he does well.”

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Irsay backed up that point. He has been through it with quarterbacks and shoulder injuries dating to Andrew Luck's abrupt retirement, but Irsay remains focused on getting Richardson to the ceiling they all dreamed of.

"I really don't," Irsay said when asked if Richardson needs to change his style. "That tackle that happened, it could happen at any time. It's a physical game. He has to seize the opportunity to use his feet when he can and protect himself as well. He knows that. At the same time, we drafted him because we know with his feet, he can be dangerous and pick up critical yards at critical times.

"I think his style is great. We're just really looking forward to him having a great year throwing and running − certainly more throwing than running."

A key piece to those competing desires of preserving and maximizing Richardson is Jonathan Taylor. One year after the 2021 rushing champion wasn't practicing due to a contentious contract dispute and then only seeing a couple plays with Richardson, he is sharing a backfield with the quarterback and inspiring hopes of what two 4.4-second 40-yard dash runners can do together.

Taylor ran for 741 yards on 4.4 yards per carry last season in just 10 games while limited after the contract hold-out and with a thumb injury. He showed that 2021 ceiling in the season finale against the Texans, when he ran for 188 yards and a touchdown and nearly carried the Colts to an AFC South title.

"We know what Jonathan can do. Both of them together can be a really dangerous combination from a big-play standpoint," Irsay said. "We didn't really have a chance to see that with Anthony's injury and Jonathan's late camp arrival. In some ways, I really think the team has improved just by the nature of them being ready to go."

One year ago, Irsay's annual training camp conversation with the media came fresh off of a bus where he and Taylor went back and forth on the contract dispute, only for Taylor to leave it and request a trade.

This year, his running back is signed, his quarterback is healthy and his team is confident in its chances to reach the playoffs. For now, the drama has been usurped by intrigue.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts owner Jim Irsay wants Anthony Richardson to run ball