Colts coach noncommittal on beginning QB amid Anthony Richardson woes

The Indianapolis Colts are contemplating a quarterback change.

Colts coach Shane Steichen did not give a definitive reply when requested if Anthony Richardson would stay the staff’s beginning quarterback heading into their Week 9 matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.

“We are evaluating every little thing,” Steichen instructed reporters Monday.

Richardson had some struggles within the Colts’ 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, finishing simply 9 of 19 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with 56 speeding yards and a speeding rating. However, Richardson drew extra ire for ending a play off late within the third quarter after shaking off a sack for a zero-yard run on second-and-goal from the Texas 23-yard line.

“I used to be drained,” Richardson mentioned Sunday. “I’m not going to lie. I needed to do loads of working proper there. I did not assume I’d have the ability to go to the following present, so I instructed Shane I simply wanted a break proper there.”

The subsequent day, Steichen mentioned his quarterback is aware of he cannot get out of video games like that shifting ahead.

“We talked about it this morning within the quarterback’s room, which I’ll hold personal, however clearly in these conditions, he is aware of that with these kinds of offers you’ll be able to’t again out,” Steichen he told reporters.

Regardless of whether or not Richardson’s resolution to withdraw from Sunday’s sport for motion is the basis of Steichen’s resolution to presumably make a quarterback change, the second-year quarterback has not performed nicely this season. After Steichen mentioned earlier within the week that the Colts have been trying to see Richardson enhance from sport to sport, he struggled to maneuver the offense for a lot of the sport amid intense stress. The fourth general decide within the 2023 draft was sacked 5 instances and hit eight extra.

The efficiency got here after he managed simply 129 yards in his return from a hip harm final week, however the Colts made two area targets within the fourth quarter to earn a 16-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Before leaving the door open for a quarterback change Monday, Steichen was fast to defend his quarterback Sunday, saying everybody must do higher.

“We simply need to hold engaged on this factor,” Steichen mentioned Sunday. “He’s obtained an excellent work dedication. He goes by way of this stuff, it is a course of and we’ll do it collectively. It’s not about one man, it is concerning the staff. It’s at all times concerning the staff.”

Richardson has accomplished simply 44.4% of his passes this season. But the dual-threat QB dismissed criticism about his completion proportion.

“I really feel like I’m an incredible passer,” he mentioned. “I’ve performed quarterback just about my complete life. I’m only a completely different quarterback than everybody else, so individuals will attempt to level out that I’m not as environment friendly as everybody else. That’s cool with me.”

If the Colts change quarterbacks, veteran Joe Flacco would seemingly begin in Richardson’s place when the 4-4 Colts face the 5-2 Vikings. Flacco began a pair of video games for Indianapolis earlier this season when Richardson was sidelined with a hip harm, going 1-1 in these video games. He has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in three video games this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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