Colts Pro Bowler, HC call out Richardson for 'tired' excuse

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Colts Pro Bowler, HC call out Anthony Richardson for 'tired' excuse

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Oct 29, 2024 9:29 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had another rough game in Week 8 during the team's 23-20 loss vs. the Houston Texans on Sunday.

The former fourth overall pick finished the contest just 10-of-32 with 175 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 48.3 passer rating and was sacked five times for 35 yards.

Veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco replaced Richardson for one snap in the third quarter, but it wasn't due to injury or ineffectiveness from the second-year pro.

Richardson admitted following the defeat that he took himself out of the game for one play because he was "tired."

Colts head coach Shane Steichen and four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly discussed the Florida product's decision on Monday and weren't exactly backing up the 22-year-old.

#Colts C Ryan Kelly says he had a conversation with QB Anthony Richardson about subbing himself out because he was tired: "He know it's not the standard that he needs to play up to."

Colts HC Shane Steichen says he had a conversation, too: "Can't take yourself out."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 28, 2024

"We had a conversation about it this morning in the quarterback room, which I'll keep private," Steichen said, per ESPN's Stephen Holder. "But, obviously, in those situations he knows on those type of deals, you can't take yourself out and it's a learned experience for him and he's got to grow from it."

Richardson is now just 59-of-133 (44.4 completion percentage) with four touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 57.2 passer rating in six games this season. He continues to show massive arm strength, though, as he leads the NFL at 16.2 yards per completion.

Steichen told media members on Monday that the team is "evaluating everything" and was non-committal when asked if Richardson would remain the starter.

I asked #Colts HC Shane Steichen if QB Anthony Richardson is the team's starting QB:

"Today he is, yes."

Is he the starting QB for Sunday's game against the #Vikings:

"We're evaluating." | @TheAthleticNFL
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 28, 2024

#Colts HC Shane Steichen says QB Anthony Richardson's decision to sub himself out of yesterday's game because he was tired did NOT factor into his decision to reevaluate who will start at QB moving forward.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 28, 2024

Steichen added: "Right now, today, yes, he is [the starter]."

Steichen is impossible to read so do with this whatever you wish.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 28, 2024

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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