Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley looks on during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Colts fire defensive coordinator Gus Bradley

The Indianapolis Colts fired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley on Monday after his third season with the team.

“I’m appreciative of Gus and the commitment he made to the Colts,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “He is a man of great character, and I have the utmost respect for him. I felt like we needed to move in a different direction. I wish Gus and his family all the best moving forward.”

Indianapolis’ defense was never dominant under Bradley, who took over in 2022 after Matt Eberflus left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears.

The Colts allowed the third-most points in the NFL in 2022, the fifth-most in 2023 and the ninth-most in 2024. On top of that, Bradley’s defenses regressed in yards allowed per game and sacks each season. Indianapolis finished 29th and tied for 25th in those respective categories in 2024.

The Colts exited their bye week this season at 6-7 but surrendered at least 30 points over their next three games, losing two of them to fall out of playoff contention. Perhaps the defense’s worst showing came in a Week 17 loss that officially knocked Indianapolis out of the playoff race. Bradley’s unit allowed 38 points in a 45-33 defeat to a New York Giants team that ended its 100th season with a franchise-record 14 losses.

“The overall performance (in Week 17) was embarrassing and as a leader, it’s my responsibility for our overall play and I take that responsibility,” Bradley said before the regular-season finale, per The Athletic.

“It’s our job to put players in position to make the plays and to make the calls that allow them to be successful and we didn’t get that done (against the Giants).”

The Colts beat Jacksonville 26-23 in overtime on Sunday to finish the season 8-9. They have not made the playoffs since 2020.

Bradley, 58, previously spent time as a defensive coordinator with Seattle (2009-12), the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-20) and Las Vegas (2021). He also went 14-48 in four seasons as the Jaguars’ head coach before being fired during the 2016 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen fist bumps Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts sticking with coach Shane Steichen, GM Chris Ballard

The Indianapolis Colts don’t plan to move on from Shane Steichen at coach and Chris Ballard at general manager, team owner Jim Irsay said in a statement on Sunday.

Irsay laid out Indianapolis’ future plans following a 26-23 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts finished the season at 8-9 and missed out on the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

“As we close out this season, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that we failed to win the AFC South and earn a playoff appearance,” Irsay said in his statement. “There’s a high standard in this city for our team and anyone who steps on the field wearing the Horseshoe. The expectation is to win our division and compete for championships.

“Just being on the doorstep of the playoffs is not the standard I expect, nor what you deserve. We understand that and always accept the challenge. Believe me, I know you share my impatience and frustration. I know you invest your time, energy and money into the Colts every year. …

“I’ve been evaluating our entire operation, and I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025.”

Irsay acknowledged that fans who wanted a leadership change “will be disappointed” but said the team would “get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.”

Steichen, 39, just concluded his second season as the Colts’ coach and has guided Indianapolis to a 17-17 record.

Ballard, 55, has been general manager ever since the 2017 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

AFC South rivals Colts, Jaguars playing out string

The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to play for this week and the players know where to point — at themselves.

The Colts complete their fourth consecutive non-playoff season on Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of AFC South squads.

The Jaguars (4-12) have long been eliminated from playoff contention in a truly disappointing campaign. Indianapolis (7-9) was in the mix until sustaining an embarrassing 45-33 road loss to the New York Giants last week.

Colts star linebacker Zaire Franklin, the NFL’s leading tackler with 165, made it clear that a team doesn’t lose a game like that if it is truly a playoff squad. The Giants, who were averaging a league-worst 14.3 points per game, more than tripled their average.

“It’s embarrassing. It’s disappointing. We got flat-out beat,” Franklin said. “The performance we put out defensively, just beyond unacceptable. You can’t play like that when you’re planning on being a playoff team. So we ain’t a playoff team.”

The Colts hope to have quarterback Anthony Richardson back on the field after he missed the game against New York due to severe back pain. Indianapolis didn’t rule Richardson out until Saturday but Richardson told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.

“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”

Richardson was the only Indianapolis player listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough.

The fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft has struggled with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also has thrown eight touchdowns, ran for six more and has a 6-5 record as a starter this season.

Richardson sat out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5. Joe Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also missed the game. Taylor ranks seventh in the NFL with 1,254 rushing yards while playing in 13 games.

As for the Jaguars, they are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Jacksonville posted a 20-13 home victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.

Quarterback Mac Jones, who is 2-4 as a starter this season, again starts in place of Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder surgery). Jones said he plans to leave the field with a victory.

“You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control,” Jones said. “For me, just keep it simple this week. A lot of distractions, a lot of this and that. But the challenge for everybody and for me is to focus on doing my part and then from there, it should take care of itself.”

The contest could be the final game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. He is 22-28 with the team and went 9-8 in each of his first two seasons before the club fell on hard times this season with 10 losses in its first 12 games.

Jacksonville defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, who had three sacks against Tennessee, said the atmosphere is good around the team despite the underachieving season.

“We’re looking to finish this on a positive note,” Hines-Allen said. “We’re not playing for a playoff game, so there’s frustration there. But we want to make it 2-0 (to end the season). If we can do that going into next season, it’s a good starting point.”

Left tackle Walker Little (ankle) was the lone Jacksonville player to miss practice on Wednesday.

The Jaguars have won three straight and five of the past six meetings.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gives a thumbs up before the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) hopes to play in finale

Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson said he has been dealing with the most severe back spasms of his life, but he still wants to play Sunday when the Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars to end their season.

Richardson, 22, missed practice last week and Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants which eliminated the Colts (7-9) from playoff contention.

“Last week was tough,” Richardson said Wednesday, when he didn’t participate in the team’s walkthrough. “I couldn’t even stand up on Tuesday, could barely even walk. … But I’m here, I’m standing now. If I can do everything in my power to get on the field, I’m going to do so.

“God willing, if I’m able to go out there with my teammates this week, it’s just great to finish off the season with a victory because that’ll just instill some confidence in us going into the offseason,” he continued. “Just find some ways to fine-tune certain things and just get better as players and just get better for the organization.”

Indianapolis selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he sustained an injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder in the win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. His season was over after just four games.

This season, Richardson has dealt with injuries and a demotion. He has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Joe Flacco started in his place last week, when Richardson was listed on the injury report for back soreness and a foot injury.

Richardson said he doesn’t expect to need surgery.

“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” he said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”

While Richardson said he is feeling better, he was estimated not to participate in the walkthrough. Head coach Shane Steichen has not ruled him out against the Jaguars (4-12).

“We’re hopeful,” Steichen said. “He’s working through his rehab and his treatment right now, so we’ll see how the week progresses with that.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Colts coach Shane Steichen feeling heat after playoff elimination

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen seemed to sense the question might arise after his club was eliminated from playoff consideration Sunday with a ghastly 45-33 loss to the host New York Giants in East Rutheford, N.J.

The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the contest and their season-high point total Sunday more than tripled their season average of 14.3 points per game.

It was the type of bad loss that leads to head coaches being asked about their job security.

“I control what I can control,” Steichen said of the employment situation.

The Colts (7-9) were outplayed all contest by the team that entered the day with the worst record in the NFL — and with their playoff hopes on the line.

Last season, Steichen’s first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs.

“It was as disappointing as it gets,” Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. “As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I’ve got to be better, we’ve all got to be better. That’s a group effort, everyone’s got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn’t happen.”

Giants quarterback Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and tied his career high of four touchdowns while also running for a score.

Meanwhile, the Colts also went with a reserve quarterback in veteran Joe Flacco and he turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He also passed for 330 yards.

Flacco started because rookie Anthony Richardson couldn’t play due to back and foot injuries.

Indianapolis completes the season next weekend at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I know it’s a tough situation, obviously, when you’re out of the playoff hunt, but again, I told (the team) we’ve got to be professional about it,” Steichen said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got to show up and do our job still with one week left.”

The Colts last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Their last playoff win was two seasons earlier.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws a pass during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Giants’ offense explodes in 45-33 win, knocking Colts out of playoff race

Drew Lock matched his career high of four touchdown passes and also rushed for a score and the New York Giants snapped their franchise-record 10-game losing streak with an entertaining 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Malik Nabers had seven receptions for a career-best 171 yards and two touchdowns to exceed 100 receptions and 1,000 yards during his strong rookie campaign. New York (3-13) registered a season best for points scored by more than tripling its league-worst season average of 14.3 per game.

The setback eliminated the Colts (7-9) from the AFC playoff race.

Lock completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Stayton also had receiving scores for the Giants, who won at home for the first time this season. Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Joe Flacco started for Indianapolis with Anthony Richardson (back/foot) sidelined and completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. But he also was intercepted twice and lost a fumble.

Jonathan Taylor rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, Michael Pittman Jr. had nine receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown and Alec Pierce caught six passes for 122 yards and a score.

Indianapolis pulled within 35-33 on Flacco’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Pittman with 6:38 remaining.

The Giants answered with Lock’s 5-yard scramble with 2:57 left to push the lead to nine. After Flacco was picked off by Dru Phillips, Graham Gano tacked on a 30-yard field goal 37 seconds later to put it away.

New York held an eight-point halftime lead before Smith-Marsette fielded the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Giants a 28-13 advantage.

The Colts answered with Taylor’s 26-yard run to move within eight with 11:03 left in the third quarter.

Flacco threw a 13-yard touchdown catch to Pierce with 10:53 remaining in the game to move Indianapolis within two. A trick play on the two-point conversion failed.

New York increased its lead to nine just more than two minutes later when Nabers caught a short pass at midfield and easily shed two tacklers before sprinting down the right sideline for a 59-yard score.

Lock tossed three first-half touchdown passes as the Giants led 21-13 at the break.

Nabers caught a short pass in the right flat and raced 31 yards for a score to give New York a 7-3 lead with 1:05 left in the opening quarter. He finished the day with 104 receptions for 1,140 yards.

Lock tossed touchdown passes of 32 yards to Slayton and 5 yards to Robinson while increasing the lead to 21-6. Taylor scored on a 3-yard run with 20 seconds remaining.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) runs with the ball, as New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) tries to catch him, Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Giants WR Malik Nabers (toe) active vs. Colts

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has been dealing with a toe injury, is active for Sunday’s home game against the Indianapolis Colts in East Rutherford, N.J.

Nabers was listed as questionable after missing practice on Thursday and being a limited participant on Friday. He had called himself a game-day decision on Thursday.

Nabers, 21, has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants and leads the team with 97 receptions for 969 yards and four touchdown catches in 13 games (12 starts). The Giants (2-13) long have been out of playoff contention, while the Colts (7-8) are fighting to stay alive.

“It’s tough on everybody. It’s not just tough on me. It’s tough on everybody,” Nabers said of the team’s troubles. “I’m continuing to keep my mental (attitude) strong, continue to move forward, continue to try to better the team, better myself. Lead by example. I feel like that’s really all we can do in this state of mind that we’re going through.”

Selected sixth overall out of LSU, Nabers has caught 10 or more passes on three occasions but has just one touchdown catch over the past 10 games.

Nabers needs three receptions to join former Giants Steve Smith (107 catches in 2009) and Odell Beckham Jr. (101 in 2016) as the only players in franchise history to haul in 100 receptions in a single season.

The Giants inactives are defensive lineman Cory Durden, inside linebacker Micah McFadden, center John Michael Schmitz, cornerbacks Greg Stroman and Dee Williams, and emergency third quarterback Tim Boyle.

The Colts inactives include quarterback Anthony Richardson, who already was ruled out. The others are defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore, defensive end Isaiah Land, tight end Will Mallory and guard Dalton Tucker.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The pass fell incomplete.

Colts rule out QB Anthony Richardson; Joe Flacco to start

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.

Richardson did not practice during the week, but head coach Shane Steichen had fallen short of declaring his starter out until Saturday.

Veteran Joe Flacco is expected to make his fifth start of the season in Richardson’s place.

As of early Saturday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they’d need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 — and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday — to stay alive.

That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson, 22, has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Richardson’s back and foot injuries are not expected to rule him out of Week 18’s matchup against the visiting Jaguars, according to ESPN sources on Saturday.

Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams — the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson questionable vs. Giants

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is questionable to start Sunday’s game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.

Richardson did not practice this week, but head coach Shane Steichen fell short of declaring his starter out.

“We’ll see how next 48 hours go,” he told reporters Friday.

If Richardson, 22, is unable to go, veteran Joe Flacco would make his fifth start of the season.

As of Friday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they’d need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 — and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday — to stay alive.

That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams — the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The pass fell incomplete.

Colts need help for playoff shot, while Giants seek end to record skid

The Indianapolis Colts could show up to the stadium on Sunday with nothing to play for.

Or the scenario may call for a victory so they can remain alive in the AFC playoffs.

Either way, the Colts’ postseason fate hangs on other teams as they enter Sunday’s game against the lowly New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J.

Indianapolis (7-8) is mathematically alive in the playoff hunt but trails the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by two games with two contests left.

The Chargers and Broncos both have games on Saturday. If both nine-win clubs win, the Colts will be eliminated and miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is well aware of the team’s predicament and scenarios entering the game against the Giants (2-13), who have lost a franchise-record 10 straight games.

“We still have an opportunity, with some help from other people,” Richardson said. “But we just taking it one game at a time because it doesn’t do us any good if everybody else does what they have to do to help us out and then we don’t go out there and take advantage of it.”

Richardson (back/foot) sat out practice Thursday and the Colts remain confident his ailments will improve. If not, veteran Joe Flacco could be in line to start against New York.

Flacco was just 1-3 as a starter when Richardson was sidelined or benched earlier this season. But Flacco (nine touchdowns, five interceptions) has a superior touchdown-to-interception ratio than Richardson (eight TDs, 12 interceptions) and has completed 66.5 percent of his passes compared to Richardson’s 47.7 percent.

No matter who starts, the game plan will revolve around star running back Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards and three scores on 29 carries during last weekend’s 38-30 home win over the Tennessee Titans.

It was Taylor’s second-most rushing yards in a game behind the club-record 253 he put up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2020 season.

The Giants are starting Drew Lock at quarterback for the fourth time in the past five games.

Lock underwent an MRI exam on his passing shoulder Monday but no damage was found. He hurt it during Sunday’s 34-7 road loss against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has completed just 52.7 percent of his passes. He has one touchdown and four interceptions in 129 attempts.

“As a quarterback, the ball is in your hands every play and one or two bad plays can change a game,” Lock said of his miscues. “You try to look at them individually, try to learn from each play individually and go onto the next week. Learn from what you did and just have a heavy emphasis on taking care of the ball.”

Giants coach Brian Daboll opted for Lock over Tommy DeVito, who is 0-2 as a starter this season.

Daboll said he made the decision to continue the continuity from last week.

Meanwhile, star rookie wideout Malik Nabers (toe) missed practice Thursday and called himself a game-day decision.

Nabers has 97 receptions for 969 yards and four touchdown catches as one of the bright spots of the horrendous season.

“It’s tough on everybody. It’s not just tough on me. It’s tough on everybody,” Nabers said of the team’s troubles. “I’m continuing to keep my mental (attitude) strong, continue to move forward, continue to try to better the team, better myself. Lead by example. I feel like that’s really all we can do in this state of mind that we’re going through.”

In addition to Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle), linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), cornerbacks Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) and Dee Williams (toe) and safety Raheem Layne (knee) sat out practice Thursday.

Richardson was one of three Colts to miss practice. The others were tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee).

In the most recent meeting, the Giants routed the Colts 38-10 late in the 2022 season.

–Field Level Media