Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen told members of the media Monday that starting quarterback Anthony Richardson is “really close” to returning. The coach added that unless the second-year quarterback suffers a setback this week, he expects Richardson will start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Richardson served as the team’s emergency quarterback on Sunday.
Richardson started the first four games of the season before exiting the Colts Week 4 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a hip injury. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco started the next two games in his place, leading the Colts to a 20-17 win over the Titans on Sunday after Indy lost to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.
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Staying on the field has been an issue for Richardson, who has exited with an injury in four of his eight career NFL games. He missed the final 12 games of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The 22-year-old play caller has 654 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 141 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in four games this year.
Last week, Richardson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, a full participant Thursday and regressed to being a limited participant again Friday.
Since playing the bulk of the Steelers game in Richardson’s absence, Flacco has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception on a 65.7 percent completion rate. The 39-year-old signal caller led the way in the team’s fourth quarter comeback against the Titans on Sunday.
In other Colts injury news, Steichen said the team has made no decision yet on whether or not defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will return this week from injured reserve. Buckner, who is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, suffered a high right ankle sprain in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers and is eligible to come off the IR list this week. The 30-year-old is a key cog in the Indianapolis defensive front.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
