Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was noncommittal Monday when asked whether or not Anthony Richardson would start at quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.
When asked if Richardson was still the Colts’ starter Steichen replied: “Today he is, yes.”
Steichen however wouldn’t say if that would be the case moving forward, simply saying, “We’re evaluating.”
Steichen’s comments come after the Colts lost 23-20 to the Houston Texans, a game in which Richardson subbed himself out of the game for being “tired.”
“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie,” Richardson said about his one-play exit after the game. “That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I didn’t think I was gonna be able to go that next play. So, I just told (Colts coach Shane Steichen) I needed a break right there.”
The moment occurred late in the third quarter, with the Colts in the red zone and trailing by 10. On second-and-goal from the Houston Texans’ 23-yard-line, Richardson escaped the pocket and evaded Houston’s pass rush before being sacked at the line of scrimmage. Richardson was tackled at the knees and fell awkwardly during the sack, leading to the injury concern.
He tapped his helmet and headed to the sideline. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco — who started three games this season and led Indianapolis to two wins — entered and finished the drive.
Steichen said that Richardson subbing himself out was not a factor in his decision to reevaluate the team’s quarterback situation.
Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is completing just 44 percent of his passes and has thrown for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his six starts this season.
(Photo: Jack Gorman / Getty Images)
