Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen said quarterback Anthony Richardson is “really close” to returning. The coach added that unless the second-year passer suffers a setback this week, he expects Richardson will start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Richardson served as the team’s emergency quarterback in Week 6.
Richardson started the first four games of the season before exiting the Colts’ Week 4 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an oblique injury. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco started the next two games in his place, leading the Colts to a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after Indy lost to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.
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 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. With the University of Florida product nearing full strength, Steichen felt comfortable enough to dress him as their emergency QB at Tennessee.
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.
Steichen made it clear that while having Flacco has been a great benefit to his team, the veteran’s presence hasn’t influenced how cautious the Colts are being with Richardson’s right oblique injury. The only reason Richardson didn’t play against the Titans was because he wasn’t “100 percent,” Steichen reemphasized Monday.
“Obviously, Flacco is a really good player and been playing good ball for us,” Steichen said. “But when Anthony’s healthy, he’s our quarterback.”
When Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, does resume game action, he’ll remain under a microscope. All four of Richardson’s NFL injuries have occurred on runs, raising questions about his long-term durability.
“People are going to talk. That’s what people do,” Richardson said of being labeled injury prone. “I’m not necessarily worried about it. I’m just trying to focus on getting better day by day.”
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.
