Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen mentioned he is “evaluating” the quarterback state of affairs amid Anthony Richardson’s latest struggles, however the coach indicated that Richardson’s shocking resolution to ask out of Sunday’s sport for a play late within the third quarter won’t be a think about his decision-making.
Richardson was 10-of-32 for 175 yards in Sunday’s loss on the Houston Texans, and the workforce’s offensive struggles have prompted Steichen to take a better look forward of their Sunday night time matchup at Minnesota.
“We’re evaluating all the things,” Steichen mentioned when requested whether or not Richardson would begin that sport.
When pressed if Richardson was nonetheless the workforce’s starter, Steichen mentioned, “Proper now, in the present day, he’s, sure.”
Joe Flacco, the Colts’ 39-year-old backup, went 1-1 in his two begins this season whereas Richardson rehabbed an indirect harm.
Richardson confirmed promise in 4 begins final season earlier than touchdown on injured reserve and lacking 12 video games following shoulder surgical procedure. Nonetheless, his 44.4% completion fee this season is 15 share factors decrease than it was his rookie yr and, in accordance with ESPN Analysis, is the fifth worst in a participant’s first six video games of a season since 2000.
Steichen’s feedback got here someday after Richardson inexplicably took himself out of Sunday’s sport for one play after back-to-back scrambles as a result of he was “drained.”
Flacco got here into the sport whereas Richardson was out and handed off to working again Jonathan Taylor earlier than the Colts settled for a area objective on fourth down.
Richardson mentioned after the sport that he advised Steichen he “wanted a break proper there” as he left the sport, tapping on his helmet.
“I used to be drained,” he mentioned Sunday. “I ain’t gonna lie. That was a variety of working proper there. I did not assume I used to be going to have the ability to go that subsequent play.”
On Monday, Steichen didn’t defend Richardson’s resolution.
“We had a dialog about it this morning within the quarterback room, which I will maintain non-public,” Steichen mentioned. “However, clearly, in these conditions he is aware of on these sort of offers, you’ll be able to’t take your self out and it is a discovered expertise for him and he is obtained to develop from it.”
Heart Ryan Kelly, the longest-tenured Colts participant on the present roster, additionally had a dialogue with Richardson.
“I feel he is aware of it is not the usual that he must play as much as and the remainder of the workforce holds him to,” Kelly mentioned. “And I will form of depart the dialog that we had at that. I am certain he’ll take the criticism for that, rightfully so. I imply it is a powerful, powerful look. However he is on the market giving all of it for his workforce and it is not all the time fairly typically.
“He is giving it all the things for his teammates. He is younger. I am certain it is a studying second for him.”
Earlier than subbing out of the sport, Richardson had scrambled impressively on the earlier two performs. On the play instantly previous his departure, he shook off defensive sort out Folorunso Fatukasi with one arm because the defender tried to tug Richardson to the bottom.
Steichen and the Colts have repeatedly insisted that Richardson wants constant enjoying time to develop. He is began simply 10 video games since changing into the fourth general choose in final yr’s draft.
Requested about his present view of that philosophy, Steichen appeared much less adamant.
“I feel it may go both manner,” Steichen mentioned. “There’s sure [teams] that throw guys into the fireplace early and there is different guys that permit them sit again and watch. Like I’ve mentioned earlier than, the extra you play, the extra you be taught at that place. However is there a profit typically in sitting again and watching it? Yeah, in fact there may be.”
Richardson’s confidence, in accordance with a number of teammates, hasn’t been affected by his struggles. Additionally they mentioned they should do extra to assist mitigate his points, which on Sunday had been compounded by poor receiver play. Richardson was sacked a career-high 5 occasions and was harm by one dropped landing cross and one other the place a receiver didn’t get his ft in bounds.
“It is a powerful place. I feel he is dealing with it nicely,” receiver Alec Pierce mentioned of Richardson. “It is positively a variety of strain and I simply wish to let him know that we have all obtained his again and we’re right here for him and we’ll be higher.”
