In a move to quell any speculation, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reaffirmed Anthony Richardson’s position as the team’s starting quarterback, despite a stellar performance from veteran backup Joe Flacco in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richardson, who sat out the game due to an oblique injury, will reclaim his role once he’s fully recovered.
Steichen’s declaration puts to rest any doubts about Richardson’s status, following Flacco’s impressive outing, which saw him complete 33 of 44 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Although much of Flacco’s production came in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars’ struggling pass defense, his 75% completion rate eclipsed Richardson’s 50.6% mark through four games.
The Colts’ commitment to Richardson stems from their desire to evaluate the young quarterback, whom they drafted fourth overall in 2023. Richardson’s injury-plagued rookie season limited him to just eight starts, and the team wants to give him ample opportunity to develop. Despite throwing six interceptions this season, Richardson boasts an impressive 8.5 yards per attempt, ranking him third in the NFL, and a league-leading 12.0 air yards per attempt.
Richardson, who’s been sidelined since taking a hard hit to his midsection in Week 4, expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that his injury has improved significantly. He’s eyeing a return to the starting lineup in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans.
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