The Colts’ frustrations with the quarterback place continued when starter Anthony Richardson exited Sunday’s recreation with a hip damage. The second-year passer out of Florida hopes not to miss much time, if any, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Community, and he will likely be evaluated all through the week.
Richardson really left the sport twice Sunday. Early within the staff’s second drive of the sport, Richardson walked off the sphere after hurting his hip. Veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in for 2 performs earlier than Richardson returned to the sport.
Inexplicably, Richardson’s first play again on the sphere was a read-option keeper that instantly noticed the younger quarterback take one other shot and, as soon as once more, exit with damage.
Fortunately for the Colts, Flacco confirmed up in a lot the identical method as he did as an emergency starter for the Browns final season, throwing two touchdowns en path to a victory over his previous division-rival Steelers.
Flacco was signed to a one-year, $4.5M deal to return to Indianapolis over the offseason attributable to injuries Richardson suffered in 2023.
Richardson began 4 of 5 video games to open his rookie season earlier than present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. For the rest of the yr, the staff relied on Gardner Minshew, who carried out admirably sufficient to earn a Professional Bowl bid however wasn’t capable of get the Colts to the playoffs.
Maintaining in thoughts the damage historical past and lack of beginning expertise of Richardson, it made sense for Indianapolis to herald an skilled, veteran choice like Flacco.
Transferring ahead, it appears like Richardson will likely be seeking to proceed in his beginning position with out lacking any time. In reality, he advised reporters Sunday that he attempted to return to the game again, however head coach Shane Steichen overruled him since he wasn’t 100%, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder.
Whereas the Colts will hope to see him return quickly, the staff is aware of now that Flacco has the power to step up and win video games off the bench, if vital.
