In a stunning turn of events during the Indianapolis Colts’ crucial Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans, second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson found himself sidelined not by injury, but by sheer exhaustion. The bizarre incident has ignited a firestorm of questions about the young star’s conditioning, readiness, and future as the face of the franchise.
With the Colts trailing by two scores late in the third quarter, Richardson scrambled furiously on back-to-back plays, desperately trying to spark his team’s comeback bid. However, after narrowly escaping a sack and running for no gain, the visibly gassed quarterback tapped his helmet and made his way to the sideline, where he immediately took a knee to catch his breath.
I was tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go that next play, so I was just saying I just needed a break right there.
Anthony Richardson on his third-quarter exhaustion
Richardson’s sudden exit initially raised concerns about a potential injury, particularly after he took a hit to his left hand earlier in the game. However, trainers who evaluated him on the sideline appeared satisfied that fatigue, not damage, was the culprit behind his brief absence.
Colts Coach Confirms Richardson “Needed a Breather”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that the decision to briefly bench his starting quarterback was purely precautionary. “He needed a breather,” Steichen explained. “He ran three times in a row and it was third and long, so we were going to hand the ball off.”
Veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in for the lone play, handing the ball off to running back Jonathan Taylor on 3rd and goal from the 23. The conservative call netted just five yards, forcing the Colts to settle for a field goal that trimmed the Texans’ lead to 20-13 in an eventual 23-20 loss.
Pressure Mounts on Richardson After Disappointing Performance
Richardson’s struggles extended well beyond his third-quarter breather. The 2023 fourth-overall draft pick completed just 10 of his 32 pass attempts for 175 yards, continuing a worrying trend of inaccuracy that has plagued him throughout his sophomore campaign. While dropped passes and untimely penalties certainly played a role in the Colts’ offensive woes, Richardson’s 44.4% completion rate on the season has become an impossible statistic to ignore.
The Colts had hoped that Richardson would take a significant step forward in his development after showing flashes of promise during an injury-shortened rookie year. However, whispers of regression have grown louder with each errant throw and missed opportunity, leading some to question whether the physically gifted but raw prospect is truly the long-term answer under center in Indianapolis.
Richardson Remains Confident: “I’m a Great Passer”
Despite the mounting criticism, Richardson remains steadfast in his belief in his own abilities, particularly as a passer. “I feel like I’m a great passer,” he asserted following the loss. “I’ve been playing quarterback pretty much my whole life. I’m just a different quarterback from everybody else, so people are going to try to point out that I’m not as efficient as everybody else. But it’s cool to me. I run the ball way better than every other quarterback, probably not Lamar (Jackson), but (better) than most quarterbacks. So, I take advantage of my opportunities.”
While Richardson did showcase his elite rushing ability with 45 yards on six carries against the Texans, his insistence on relying on his legs has some concerned that he is not developing the pocket presence and decision-making skills necessary to thrive as a passer at the NFL level.
Colts Committed to Richardson Despite Growing Pains
For now, the Colts appear committed to standing by their young quarterback as he navigates the treacherous waters of NFL development. Coach Steichen emphasized the importance of patience and process when dealing with a talent as raw as Richardson. “We keep working through the process,” Steichen said. “It’s a process. We keep grinding through it. We do it together. It’s a team game. We grind through those things and we get it figured out.”
The loss to the Texans was a missed opportunity for the Colts to claim a share of the AFC South lead and inject life into their flickering playoff hopes. Instead, the team finds itself at a crossroads, with more questions than answers surrounding the most important position on the field.
As the NFL season approaches its midway point, all eyes will be on Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts to see if the young quarterback can catch his breath, both literally and figuratively, and lead his team out of the division doldrums. For a franchise that has long been searching for its next star signal-caller, the pressure is mounting to turn potential into production before the window of opportunity slams shut.
