Tag: Colts

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) watches the action on the field from the sideline Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson inactive vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran Joe Flacco will be under center on Sunday against the host Jacksonville Jaguars after the Indianapolis Colts ruled fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson inactive for the game.

Richardson was a limited participant in practice all week after sustaining an oblique injury in the Colts’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. He was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on Saturday.

Flacco replaced Richardson last Sunday and completed 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns to preserve the win.

The Colts (2-2) also listed the following players as inactive: star running back Jonathan Taylor, offensive tackle Blake Freeland, wide receiver Anthony Gould, center Ryan Kelly, cornerback Kenny Moore II and defensive end Kwity Paye.

The Jaguars (0-4) will play their third consecutive game without tight end Evan Engram. He sustained a hamstring injury prior to Jacksonville’s game against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 15.

Engram, 30, had career-high totals in catches (114) and receiving yards (963) to go along with four touchdowns in 17 starts last season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection was limited to just one catch in the Jaguars’ 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.

Jacksonville also listed the following players out for Sunday’s game: safety Daniel Thomas, linebacker Yasir Abdullah, defensive end Myles Cole, defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson and offensive linemen Javon Foster and Cole Van Lanen.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) walks the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts downgrade QB Anthony Richardson to doubtful vs. Jags

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran Joe Flacco is in line to start Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after the Indianapolis Colts downgraded fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson to doubtful.

Richardson was a limited participant in practice all week after sustaining an oblique injury in the Colts’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

Flacco replaced Richardson and completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns to preserve the win.

Also on Saturday, the Colts (2-2) downgraded Ryan Kelly (neck) to doubtful to face the Jaguars (0-4) and added cornerback Samuel Womack to the injury report with an illness. He is questionable.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) tosses the ball to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) ruled out vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts ruled out star running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive end Kwity Paye and cornerback Kenny Moore II for Sunday’s game against the host Jacksonville Jaguars.

Head coach Shane Steichen, however, did not rule out quarterback Anthony Richardson as the Colts (2-2) prepare to face the Jaguars (0-4). The latter was limited in practice this week while dealing with an oblique injury.

“We’ll see,” Steichen said of Richardson, who was injured during Indianapolis’ 27-24 home win against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. Veteran Joe Flacco replaced Richardson and completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns to preserve the victory.

Taylor did not participate in practice this week after sustaining an ankle injury against the Steelers. Taylor had 108 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown before exiting during the fourth quarter.

Taylor leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). Richardson is second on the team in carries (21) and rushing yards (141). Richardson and Trey Sermon each have one rushing score.

“It’ll be running back by committee this week,” Steichen said.

Paye and Moore did not participate in practice this week after sustaining their respective injuries in the Colts’ 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears on Sept. 22.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Trying to overcome 0-4 start, Jaguars collide with Colts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the NFL’s only remaining winless team after four games, and a climb out of that big of a hole to reach the postseason has occurred just once in league history.

Jacksonville isn’t waving the white flag, but prospects of a turnaround will grow even bleaker if the Jaguars don’t defeat the visiting Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South clash on Sunday.

The 1992 San Diego Chargers are the lone 0-4 team to recover and reach the playoffs. That team started slowly while adjusting to new coach Bobby Ross and had strong leadership from Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau.

In Jacksonville, coach Doug Pederson is in his third season and is fielding questions about losing the locker room. His Jaguars have been outscored 109-60 to start the campaign.

“I talk to these guys every day. I see them every day. And no, I have not lost the locker room,” Pederson said Wednesday. “I think these guys have done everything I’ve asked. They continue to play and practice hard and battle.”

Pederson said the team will not make any excuses for the slow start that includes last week’s 24-20 road loss to the Houston Texans. Yet on the other hand, he seemed to point blame toward the players.

“We need our elite players to play elite. And that’s it,” Pederson said. “Sometimes, that’s what it comes down to. Are they going to be elite every week?”

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is getting paid like he’s elite — he was given a five-year, $275 million extension in the offseason — but he’s not performing at that level.

Lawrence’s completion percentage of 53.3 is second worst in the NFL among qualifiers — only Anthony Richardson (50.6) of the Colts is lower.

Worse is that the Jaguars (0-4) have lost each of Lawrence’s past nine starts.

“I’ve dealt with a few of these (slumps) in my career unfortunately. It’s never fun,” Lawrence said Wednesday. “You have to be thick-skinned. You have to be persistent when you’re in a situation like this. Keep your head down and keep working.”

Indianapolis (2-2) has lost in each of its past nine visits to Jacksonville.

Also, Colts coach Shane Steichen isn’t the least bit concerned with the Jaguars’ record.

“I don’t care that they’re 0-4,” Steichen said. “They’re a damn good football team. They’ve had some close games, obviously, that could have went either way. And we’ve got a division opponent that we gotta go beat.”

The Colts don’t know if they will have Richardson (hip) available after he exited last week’s 27-24 home victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Richardson was a limited practice participant on Wednesday — showing up on the injury report with an oblique issue — as veteran Joe Flacco handled most of the work. Flacco completed 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh.

“If (Richardson) feels good and he’s ready to go, he’ll be out there,” Steichen said.

Richardson played high school and college football (Florida) in Gainesville, which is approximately 75 miles from Jacksonville.

“It’s definitely an important game, a divisional game, and then going back to Florida, that’s my home state, so I always want to play down there,” Richardson said. “But like Coach said, I don’t have to necessarily practice to play. We’re just taking it day by day, just seeing how I’m feeling and seeing if I’m ready to roll out there on Sunday.”

Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) might be a longer shot to play than Richardson after getting injured against the Steelers. Taylor is fifth in the NFL in rushing yardage (349) and missed practice on Wednesday.

Six other Colts missed the session, including center Ryan Kelly (neck), linebacker Zaire Franklin (illness) and defensive end Kwity Paye (quadricep).

Jacksonville star defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (concussion) missed practice on Wednesday, three days after being injured against the Texans. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee) also sat out.

Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was a limited participant. He has missed the past three games.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Tyquan Lewis (94) celebrates after a play Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts place DE Tyquan Lewis (elbow) on injured reserve

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts placed defensive end Tyquan Lewis on injured reserve with an elbow injury sustained during Sunday’s win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Also Tuesday, the Colts (2-2) signed defensive tackle Adam Gotsis to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and signed cornerback Kelvin Joseph to the practice squad.

Lewis, 29, will have to sit out at least the next four games, with his earliest possible return coming in Week 9 at Minnesota on Nov. 3.

Lewis started the first four games and recorded 17 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. He has 112 tackles, 15 sacks, 10 passes defensed and one interception in 69 games (20 starts) since the Colts drafted him in the second round in 2018.

Gotsis, 32, was elevated from the practice squad on Sunday and had one tackle in his Colts debut. A second-round pick by Denver in 2016, he has 219 tackles, 10.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries in 122 games (54 starts) with the Broncos (2016-19), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-23) and Colts.

Joseph, 24, previously was with the Colts’ practice squad in Weeks 2-3. A 2021 second-round pick by Dallas, he has 39 tackles and one fumble recovery in 31 games (three starts) with the Cowboys (2021-22), Miami Dolphins (2023) and Seattle Seahawks (2023).

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) rushes the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) closes in Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Reports: Colts QB Anthony Richardson (hip) day-to-day

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is considered day-to-day with a hip pointer and not expected to miss time, according to multiple reports.

Richardson injured his right hip in the first quarter of a 27-24 home win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Veteran Joe Flacco replaced Richardson and completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns to preserve the victory.

Richardson was hit on a 14-yard run by DeShon Elliot, sending the quarterback to the ground and dislodging the ball. The Colts recovered the fumble but Richardson left for two plays.

Flacco threw a 10-yard completion, then handed off to Jonathan Taylor for 13 yards before Richardson returned to the game. On the Colts’ first play, Richardson ran to his left and went to the ground after 1 yard, without contact. As he went to the ground, Steelers defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker T.J. Watt hit the quarterback, but no penalty was called. Richardson reached for his right hip and then walked off the field on his own power.

“He felt good to go back in, ran the play and then felt it more after that next play,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of his quarterback after the game.

Richardson went into the locker room for further medical examination and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the day. NFL Network reported that Richardson’s initial diagnosis was a hip pointer.

“I’m feeling a little sore, but feeling good we got the W,” Richardson said. “I think I’m going to be good.”

Richardson said he told Steichen he could return after going down the first time, but he “tried to accelerate and couldn’t push off like I wanted to.”

The Colts play consecutive games on the road against winless division opponents with a visit to Jacksonville (0-4) in Week 5, then Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans (0-3).

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) recovers a ball fumbled by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Colts get solid relief play from Joe Flacco to hold off Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With an early injury to Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco entered the game and led the host Indianapolis Colts over the surging Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 Sunday.

After passing for 71 yards and rushing for 24 yards, Richardson left the game for Indianapolis (2-2) after a 14-yard run where DeShon Elliott hit the quarterback and dislodged the ball. The Colts recovered the loose ball, but the quarterback left the game for two plays to recover from the hit.

When Richardson returned, he attempted a designed rush to his left but went to the ground holding his right hip in pain. Richardson left the game for treatment but was later ruled out by the Colts.

In Richardson’s place, Flacco threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco had patience in the pocket and completed 16 of 26 passes, including the Colts’ final touchdown drive where the veteran Super Bowl champion had three completions on third-and-long situations and eventually found Andrew Ogletree to give the Colts a 24-10 lead with 14:43 left.

The Colts had built a 17-0 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor, a 4-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Josh Downs and a 33-yard Matt Gay field goal.

The Steelers got on the board with a 50-yard field goal from Chris Boswell to close the first half down 17-3.

Pittsburgh (3-1) battled back, scoring on three consecutive drives and cutting the deficit to three points on an 8-yard touchdown from Justin Fields to Pat Freiermuth with 3:40 to play.

After the Steelers got the ball back, an errant snap went off the facemask of Fields and although the Steelers recovered, Fields had two incomplete passes on the final three plays to give the Colts the ball back with 29 seconds remaining.

Taylor rushed for 88 yards for the Colts and added a touchdown behind an offensive line that didn’t include starting center Ryan Kelly, who missed the game as a late scratch due to a neck injury. 2024 fourth-round draft pick Tanor Bortolini started in his place.

Fields struggled early for Pittsburgh, but recovered to throw for 312 yards with a touchdown pass and added two touchdowns on the ground (both during the second-half comeback attempt) with 55 yards rushing. What hurt the first-year Steelers quarterback was the play of the offensive line. Fields was sacked four times, resulting in 30 lost yards.

The Fields performance was needed for a Steelers backfield who lost Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) to injury in the defeat.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; ndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) knocking the ball loose during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson injures hip, out vs. Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a hip injury.

With 5:42 remaining in the opening quarter, Richardson went on a 17-yard run before DeShon Elliot hit Richardson’s right hip, sending him to the ground and dislodging the ball. The Colts recovered the fumble but Richardson left for two plays, with veteran Joe Flacco taking his place.

Flacco threw a 10-yard completion, then handed off to Jonathan Taylor for 13 yards, before Richardson returned to the game. On the Colts’ first play, Richardson ran to his left and went to the ground after one yard, without contact.

After going to the ground, Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt hit the quarterback, but no penalty was called. Richardson held his right hip as he went to the ground and then walked off the field on his own power.

Richardson went into the locker room for further medical examination. In his absence. Flacco threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs to put Indianapolis up 14-0.

Indianapolis (1-2) initially announced Richardson as questionable to return to Sunday’s game, which the Colts led 17-0 in the second quarter over the Steelers (3-0). Richardson was 3-of-4 passing for 71 yards and had three rushing attempts for 24 yards before his exit, and he was later ruled out.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Steelers throw No. 1 defense at Colts, young playmakers

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When the Pittsburgh Steelers and host Indianapolis Colts meet Sunday, it’ll be a matchup of a young offense relying on an explosive rusher against the league’s top-ranked defense.

Critical to the Colts’ success is the 1-2 punch of sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis’ 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears last week was led by Taylor, who ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson threw for 167 yards with two interceptions.

“Our offensive line sets the tone for those guys up front,” said Colts head coach Shane Steichen. “JT’s running really good and he’s seeing it well, he’s being patient, he’s hitting the holes.”

The 2021 NFL rushing champion is seventh in the league this season with 261 yards. Behind him on the Colts is Richardson with 117 rushing yards.

“We’ve got a big challenge in Jonathan Taylor, and I think that challenge is intensified because of Richardson’s mobility and their willingness to use schematics regarding Richardson’s mobility,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “It is a big run game emphasis for us.”

If any team is up for the challenge of the Taylor and Richardson duo, it’s Pittsburgh (3-0), which is off to its best start since 2020 and rated the No. 1 defensive team in the NFL (229.0 yards per game).

The Steelers allow 71.3 rushing yards per game and travel to Indianapolis with three straight games holding opponents to 10 points or less. That’s without edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who has been limited by a groin injury. In his absence, Nick Herbig had a career day in the 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week with two sacks, three tackles and a forced fumble.

Spearheading the defense is six-time Pro Bowler T.J. Watt, leading the Steelers with three sacks plus 10 tackles.

“We got to know where he’s going to line up and how he’s likely to align within their scheme, what his role is likely to be defensively each play and how we can go best attack the defense,” said Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “How can we best attack the defense while also having an awareness to this great player out there and trying to limit his impact.”

Indianapolis’ defense was dealt a blow Sunday, losing two starters in the fourth quarter. Both cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip) and defensive end Kwity Paye (quadriceps) didn’t practice Wednesday, but Steichen hasn’t ruled them out for Sunday. Cornerback Chris Lammons (knee/ankle) and offensive tackle Braden Smith (knee) also missed practice.

Offensively for Pittsburgh, quarterback Justin Fields will start again in place of Russell Wilson. A calf injury continues to plague the former Super Bowl champion, leaving Tomlin uninterested in talking about any kind of quarterback competition until Wilson is able to return. He was limited in practice Wednesday.

Tomlin has had Fields under center for every game, with the former Chicago Bears quarterback averaging 172.7 passing yards and 30 rushing yards per game. Each is below career highs after three years in Chicago, but what isn’t hampering Fields in Pittsburgh are turnovers. Fields has only one interception, but none in the past two victories.

“I like his steady demeanor,” said Tomlin. “I like that in a leader. He doesn’t ride the emotional roller coaster when things are going bad. Guys can rally around that, he’s steady, he’s a competitor.”

Najee Harris received rest on Wednesday due to an arm injury sustained against the Chargers, but Tomlin isn’t concerned about his return, adding he’s expected to be available for Sunday’s trip to the Colts. Running back Jaylen Warren is expected to miss the game with a knee injury. He did not practice Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed (45) tackles Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, during a game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts slide past Bears for first win of the season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jonathan Taylor ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Trey Sermon added a rushing TD and Jaylon Jones snagged two interceptions to boost the host Indianapolis Colts to a 21-16 victory against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Indianapolis (1-2) overcame a pair of Anthony Richardson interceptions, succeeding with its ground game while shoring up what had been a suspect run defense.

The Colts had 150 rushing yards compared to 63 for the Bears (1-2).

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the April draft, was 33-of-52 passing for a career-high 363 yards and his first two career TD passes to go with two interceptions. Williams also lost a fumble on a strip-sack that set up Taylor’s 1-yard scoring run with 5:22 left that put the Colts ahead 21-9.

Sermon put the Colts ahead 14-3 on a 1-yard TD run in the final minute of the third quarter. Chicago forced a punt earlier in the possession but a neutral zone infraction against Daniel Hardy sustained the drive.

Chicago drew to within 14-9 when Williams found Rome Odunze for a 1-yard score with 8:21 left. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Odunze had six catches for 112 yards and a score while Cole Kmet had 10 catches for 97 yards and a TD.

Richardson was 10-for-20 for 167 yards and two interceptions.

Indianapolis opened the scoring on Taylor’s 29-yard touchdown run with 8:19 to go in the second quarter. The Colts took over after an interception and traveled 70 yards in three plays and 1:16.

Williams passed for 213 yards in the first half while going 16 of 27 through the air.

Chicago had separate first-half possessions of 11 and 16 plays that both resulted in zero points. The Bears attempted a 56-yard field goal on the opening drive but Cairo Santos’ kick was short.

Later, the Bears had a first-and-goal from the Colts’ 4 but ended with a turnover on downs. D’Andre Swift lost 12 yards on an option carry on 4th-and-goal from the Indianapolis 1 to end a 16-play drive.

Santos gave the Bears their first points with a 53-yard field goal with 12:51 remaining in the third quarter, as Chicago capitalized on a Richardson interception on the first play after halftime.

–Field Level Media