Colts coach: Richardson will start over Flacco when healthy

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts coach Shane Steichen on Monday put to rest any questions about the status of quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Steichen said Richardson will remain the starter when he returns from his injury, even in the wake of Sunday’s strong performance from veteran backup Joe Flacco in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“He is our starting quarterback,” Steichen said of Richardson.

Richardson missed Sunday’s game with an oblique injury after taking a hard shot to his midsection in a Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco played well in the remainder of that game after Richardson’s departure, then put up big numbers in Sunday’s 37-34 loss in Jacksonville.

Flacco completed 33 of 44 attempts for 359 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville. Much of the production came in the fourth quarter, when he had 183 yards on seven completions against the Jaguars’ league-worst pass defense.

Still, Flacco’s 75% completion rate in the game compares favorably with Richardson’s 50.6% through four games. But the Colts won both of Richardson’s past two starts and remain committed to him. Additionally, one of the franchise’s foremost goals this season was to assess the viability of the team’s 2023 fourth overall draft pick.

The organization has already had to endure a lengthy wait to see more of its young quarterback, who has started just eight games in his brief career. Richardson missed 13 games with injuries last season before starting the first four of 2024.

He has struggled with turnovers this season, throwing six interceptions. But he ranks third in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.5) and first in air yards per attempt (12.0).

Richardson said Sunday that his injury is much improved, adding that he is optimistic about starting in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans.