The Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a precarious position heading into the penultimate week of the regular season. At 7-8, they remain alive in the crowded AFC playoff picture, but there’s little margin for error. Much of their postseason fate may rest on the broad shoulders of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, whose dynamic playmaking ability has energized the Colts offense since reclaiming the starting role last month. However, Richardson’s status for Sunday’s critical road tilt against the New York Giants is suddenly in question.
Cause for Concern?
After being estimated as a non-participant for Wednesday’s walkthrough, Richardson was once again absent from Thursday’s practice due to back and foot ailments. The concerning development puts the rookie’s availability for Week 17 in serious jeopardy, a potentially massive blow to Indy’s playoff hopes. In Richardson’s stead, veteran journeyman Joe Flacco handled first-team reps.
Reasons for Optimism
Despite the worrisome practice absences, a team source expressed to ESPN that the Colts remain optimistic about Richardson ultimately suiting up against the Giants. The source noted that the young QB has made steady progress throughout the week and is responding well to treatment. Friday’s practice will likely be pivotal in determining his game status, but the Colts aren’t ruling out their franchise cornerstone just yet.
From the start of the season, you’re going to feel those hits the next day. It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, in college I didn’t really get sore. But the NFL, it’s a different breed, different game.
Anthony Richardson on the physicality of the NFL
The Toll of Rushing
Since reclaiming the starting job in Week 11, Richardson has transformed the Colts’ offensive attack with his rare combination of arm talent and rushing ability. The rookie has posted rushing attempts of nine or more in four of his five starts since returning, including a career-high 70 yards last week against the Titans. While his unique skill set puts immense pressure on opposing defenses, it also exposes the 6’4″, 244-pounder to additional hits.
Earlier in the week, before his injury status was known, Richardson acknowledged feeling the accumulated effects of his increased rushing workload, a drastic change from his college days at Florida. “You have some grown men out there playing football, so it’s always a little different getting tackled by those guys,” he said. “But it’s all part of it. You just have to keep adjusting and just keep your body right so you can keep performing.”
Playoff Implications
The Colts’ playoff scenario is straightforward but daunting – win out against the Giants and Texans and get some help. Indy currently sits one game back of the Ravens and Chargers for the final wild card spot. However, Baltimore holds the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of a 46-3 thrashing of the Colts back in Week 5, an embarrassing low point that preceded Richardson’s first benching. The Ravens’ remaining schedule (@CIN, vs PIT) appears slightly more favorable than Indy’s.
To snap their two-year playoff drought, the Colts almost certainly need their precocious rookie sensation on the field and performing at a high level. Richardson’s rare gifts mask a flawed roster, and his ongoing development has sparked hope for a bright future, even if a miracle playoff berth isn’t in the cards this January. The Colts invested the 5th overall pick on the rocket-armed Gainesville product, entrusting him to develop into the next great NFL dual-threat QB. First things first though – he needs to get healthy.
Contingency Plan
If Richardson is ultimately unable to go, the Colts will turn to the 37-year-old Flacco, now in his 15th NFL season. The former Super Bowl MVP started two games in relief of an ineffective Richardson in October, throwing for 691 yards and 4 TDs but losing both contests to the likes of Josh Rosen and Kenny Pickett. While Flacco’s veteran presence steadies the ship in an adverse situation, there’s no question the Colts are a far more explosive and dangerous team with their rookie at the controls.
All eyes will be on the Colts’ injury report in the coming days, as the football world awaits word on the status of one of the game’s most captivating young stars. The electricity and promise Anthony Richardson brings to the Indy offense is undeniable. But the sobering reality of the brutal, attritional nature of the quarterback position is setting in. Now the Colts hope some rest, recovery and treatment can help the face of their franchise answer the bell for a season-defining game at the Meadowlands.
