Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) chases Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) into the end zone Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Bills win fifth straight game over turnover-prone Colts

Josh Allen threw for 280 yards and rushed for a touchdown Sunday as the visiting Buffalo Bills maintained their big AFC East lead with a 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Allen completed 22 of 37 passes and threw two interceptions, but Buffalo (8-2) still outgained Indianapolis 415-361. The Bills won their fifth straight game and led the New York Jets by 4 1/2 games in the division before the Jets played the Arizona Cardinals later Sunday afternoon.

Joe Flacco hit on 26 of 35 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns for the Colts but also tossed three interceptions. Indianapolis (4-6) was guilty of four turnovers and also permitted four sacks.

However, the game was still close entering the fourth quarter. Buffalo put it away with Tyler Bass’ third field goal, a 28-yarder, with 10:58 left, and James Cook’s 2-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining.

Flacco tacked on a 10-yard scoring strike to Alec Pierce with two seconds on the clock.

Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 times for 114 yards for the Colts.

Buffalo’s defense started the scoring less than three minutes into the game on Indianapolis’ first snap. Flacco was intercepted by Taron Johnson and he took it 23 yards for a 7-0 lead.

The Bills made it 10-0 with 5:33 left in the first quarter on Bass’ 29-yard field goal but the Colts finally got something going on their next drive. Matt Gay converted a 27-yarder with 3:31 left to cut the deficit to 10-3.

Flacco got Indianapolis into the end zone on its next drive, finishing off a possession of nearly six minutes with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Goodson that tied the game at 10 with 9:22 left in the second quarter. Gay made a 23-yard field goal less than three minutes later, five plays after E.J. Speed intercepted Allen.

However, Buffalo regained the lead for good on its next drive, going 70 yards in eight plays and finishing it on Allen’s 13-yard run with 2:14 remaining. Bass added a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 20-13 halftime advantage.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) walks on the field after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Report: Colts bench QB Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco

The Indianapolis Colts are benching former first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson and turning to 39-year-old Joe Flacco, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

On Monday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal when asked if Richardson would start in Week 9.

“We’re evaluating everything,” Steichen said as the Colts (4-4) began their preparations for Sunday night’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2).

The coaching staff met on Tuesday morning and made the “seismic organizational decision to change QBs,” ESPN reported.

Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the host Houston Texans.

During the third quarter, Richardson made the unusual move of taking himself out of the game in the middle of a Colts drive. He later explained that he needed a breather after scrambling on several plays.

“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie,” said Richardson, 22. “That was a lot of running right there that I did. … So, I just told Shane that I needed a break right there.”

Richardson, who missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, has completed just 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions in six games this season.

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 out of Florida, Richardson’s rookie season ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Flacco was 1-1 in two starts earlier this month against Jacksonville and Tennessee. He has completed 65.7 percent of his passes this season for 716 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.

Flacco is 104-83 as an NFL starter with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023) and Colts. He has thrown for 44,652 yards with 252 TDs and 156 INTs. He was the MVP of Baltimore’s 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) sufferes an apparent concussion after hitting his head on the ground while being tackled by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Quarterbacks’ health a major issue for Dolphins, Colts

The Miami Dolphins remain in a holding pattern as they await word on the future availability of standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

In the meantime, Tyler Huntley will again guide the league’s lowest-scoring offense when the Dolphins (2-3) battle the host Indianapolis Colts (3-3) on Sunday.

Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills and missed the past three games.

The Dolphins scored 3, 12 and 15 points in the full games Tagovailoa sat out and are averaging just 12 per game on the season. They did get a win during that span — 15-10 on the road against the New England Patriots on Oct. 6 prior to last week’s bye.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel is hopeful Tagovailoa will be cleared to practice later this month.

“There is still information that he’s seeking this week,” McDaniel said of Tagovailoa. “As far as timelines go, I know he’s not playing this week and I do expect to see him playing football in 2024. But where that is exactly, we’ll let the process continue since we still have time before you even could entertain anything.”

The Dolphins’ No. 2 quarterback, Skylar Thompson, started in Week 3 and sustained a rib injury. Huntley started the past two games and hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass while being intercepted once.

Part of the bye-week process was helping Huntley get more comfortable with the offense. The former Baltimore Ravens player known as “Snoop” didn’t join Miami until mid-September.

“It was just imperative that he could have more time on task to study and to review the footwork of some of our core concepts and core fundamentals, which he did a great job working through,” McDaniel said.

The upheaval in the passing game has hurt the production of standout receivers Tyreek Hill (23 catches, 286 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (21 for 258). Hill has one touchdown catch and Waddle has none.

Last season, the two players combined for 191 receptions, 2,813 yards and 17 scoring receptions.

Miami did have Raheem Mostert on the field for the first time in four weeks when he rushed for 80 yards against New England. Sidekick De’Von Achane, a full practice participant Wednesday, is hopeful of clearing the concussion protocol this week after getting hurt against the Patriots.

The Colts are experiencing their own quarterback quandary, and coach Shane Steichen said Anthony Richardson (oblique) would start unless he has a setback. Richardson missed the past two games, but he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

“Because he’s a guy that touches the ball on every play, and it’s a long season, (just) wanted to make sure he’s 100 percent before he goes back out there,” Steichen said.

Joe Flacco replaced Richardson early in a Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and started the past two games. He has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

Flacco rallied the Colts to 10 fourth-quarter points in a 20-17 road win over the Tennessee Titans last week. He tossed a go-ahead 10-yard touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr. with 7:27 left in the game.

Pittman played through a painful back injury, and his perseverance impressed Flacco.

“When you have guys like that, you can go a long way,” Flacco said of Pittman. “That’s the kind of guys you need to play winning football. And he’s unbelievable for that.”

Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor (349 yards, four touchdowns) has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury, and he didn’t practice Wednesday.

Among other Indianapolis players to sit out Wednesday were Pittman and fellow wideout Josh Downs (toe), center Ryan Kelly (calf) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee).

For Miami, safeties Jevon Holland (hand) and Jordan Poyer (shin) were among the limited participants.

The Colts have won three of the teams’ past four meetings.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) during pregame warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Colts plan on starting QB Anthony Richardson vs. Dolphins

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is expected to play Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins after missing two games because of an oblique injury.

“Unless there’s a setback, I think he’ll be ready to go,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said Monday.

Richardson was injured on Sept. 29 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with veteran Joe Flacco coming off the bench in the 27-24 home victory. Flacco started in a 37-34 loss at Jacksonville and in Sunday’s 20-17 win at Tennessee.

The Colts made Richardson inactive for both games, and he was designated as the emergency quarterback on Sunday. Richardson was limited in practices last Wednesday and Friday and was a full participant on Thursday.

“(We) wanted to make sure he’s 100 percent,” Steichen said Monday. “That’s what really went into the decision. He’s really close — really close, which is why we had him as our third emergency quarterback. But he should be looking really good this week.”

Richardson, 22, started the first four games this season and is 39 of 77 (50.6 percent) for 654 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has 21 rushing attempts for 141 yards and a TD.

The Colts selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started four games and was 50 of 84 (59.5 percent) for 577 yards, three TDs and one pick, adding 136 rushing yards and four TDs before sustaining a season-ending injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder in Week 5 last season.

“It’s a long season and we’re six games into this thing, and we want to have him for the long haul,” Steichen said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Reports: Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) out multiple weeks

Already dealing with injuries to two of their top offensive players, the Indianapolis Colts were dealt another blow Wednesday as wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to miss multiple weeks with a back injury, according to multiple reports.

Pittman was likely injured during the Colts’ 37-34 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, though he played the entire game. It is unclear whether Pittman will land on injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four games.

The fifth-year veteran has led the Colts (2-3) in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. He has a team-leading 22 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown through five games this year after signing a three-year, $70 million extension in March.

Pittman joins quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) and running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) as key offensive weapons battling injuries. Both Richardson and Taylor sat out Sunday’s game in Jacksonville after getting hurt in Indianapolis’ 27-24 Week 4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers.

Richardson was limited in his return to practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Week 6 game at the Tennessee Titans (1-3). Taylor and Pittman did not practice Wednesday, nor did receiver Josh Downs (toe). Alec Pierce has 13 receptions in five games for a team-high 368 yards with a 33.5-yard average.

Pittman, 27, has 358 career receptions for 3,900 yards and 16 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

NFL Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner

Colts place DT DeForest Buckner (ankle) on IR

The Indianapolis Colts placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve Tuesday due to a reported high ankle sprain.

Buckner, 30, was carted off in the third quarter of the Colts’ 16-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Packers running back Emanuel Wilson fell on Buckner’s ankle, causing it to bend awkwardly.

The durable veteran, who has missed just two games with injuries in his nine-year career, will miss at least four games, per league rules. The earliest he’ll be eligible to return is an Oct. 20 matchup against the visiting Miami Dolphins.

Buckner has 1.5 sacks and seven tackles in two games (one start) so far. He has 62.5 career sacks with the San Francisco 49ers (2016-19) and Colts. He has started 126 of the 131 games he’s played in, making the Pro Bowl three times and earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2020.

Buckner signed a two-year extension with the Colts in April, a deal that takes effect next season. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $84 million deal.

The Colts on Tuesday also signed defensive end Genard Avery to the active roster. Avery missed all of last season after a preseason injury resulted in surgery on his LCL/meniscus. Avery has 106 tackles, 29 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks in 62 career games (17 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2018-19), Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022).

Other moves by the Colts Tuesday include signing defensive tackle Adam Gotsis, cornerback Gregory Junior and defensive end Titus Leo to the practice squad and releasing defensive tackle McTelvin Agim and cornerback Ameer Speed from the practice squad.

The Colts (0-2) next face the Chicago Bears (1-1) in Indianapolis on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during a preseason game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Texans open season, division title defense at Colts

Week 1 of the NFL season is always a big deal.

From the view of second-year Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen, it’s a bigger deal when you open with a division rival.

That’s what Indianapolis does Sunday as it welcomes the defending AFC South champion Houston Texans.

“You want to win division games, you want to win a division championship. It starts in the division and you got to win at home right off the bat,” he said. “So it’ll be an extra challenge. It’s a good football team we’re playing, but I know our guys are going to be geared up and ready to roll on Sunday.”

If that’s the case, the Colts will reverse a decade-long trend. They are 0-9-1 in their last 10 season openers, which includes a 20-20 tie two years ago in Houston and a loss to start 2020 in Jacksonville, which went on to drop the next 15 games.

Last year’s season opener saw Indianapolis fall 31-21 to Jacksonville in 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson’s NFL debut. The quarterback played just three more games before a season-ending shoulder injury thrust Gardner Minshew into the job.

With Minshew now starting in Las Vegas, the Colts tossed the keys back to Richardson. The game plan is to use former NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and Richardson to pound away at defenses, then let Richardson take shots downfield off play-action.

“As he showed with the limited amount of snaps that he’s had, he’s shown that he could be a dynamic playmaker and running the ball,” said Houston coach DeMeco Ryans. “Also throwing the football.”

Despite Richardson’s absence over the last 13 games, Indianapolis still pieced together a top-10 scoring offense, averaging 23.3 points per game. But its defense finished 28th at 24.4 ppg, helping to keep the Colts out of the postseason.

That unit will get an immediate test in Week 1.

Houston loaded up for a championship run behind second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. He led the Texans to a surprise division title last year, showing not only talent but poise belying his youth.

Now Stroud has more veteran weapons around him. Houston added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a workhorse running back in Joe Mixon who can also catch the ball. The Texans aim to do with Stroud what the Buffalo Bills have done with quarterback Josh Allen — build the talent base around him and force their way to the front of the queue in the AFC.

Diggs is looking forward to a fresh start with Houston after his time ran out with the Bills. Diggs’ production fell off sharply in the final two-thirds of 2023, even though he finished with 107 catches, and he freely admits that he was in the “worst mental space” since he jumped into the NFL.

“If I’m not in a good space, obviously that’s not the best for me,” he said. “That’s when things had to start shaking out.”

The Colts own a 32-11-1 lead in the all-time series, but the Texans have won the last two matchups at Lucas Oil Stadium, including a 23-19 verdict in January that clinched a playoff berth.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Colts sign LB Zaire Franklin to $31M extension

Linebacker Zaire Franklin agreed to a three-year, $31.26 million contract with the Colts on Monday.

Franklin’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, trumpeted the agreement, which replaces the final year on his deal (2024) worth $3.36 million.

Franklin has 345 total tackles in three seasons, more than any player in the league except Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun, who joined Jacksonville after a breakout season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.

Franklin, 27, was a seventh-round pick (235th overall) in 2018 and primarily played special teams until entering the starting lineup for Shaq Leonard.

–Field Level Media

Aug 15, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A general view of the exterior of Lucas Oil Stadium before the game between the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis to keep NFL scouting combine in 2025

The NFL scouting combine will stay in Indianapolis in 2025, as the league and the city announced a one-year contract extension on Thursday.

The combine has been held in Indianapolis since 1987, but in recent years the NFL has shown interest in moving it around the country, as it has done with the draft.

Dallas and Los Angeles bid on hosting the combine in 2022, the last time the contract was up, but Indianapolis reached a two-year agreement through 2024.

Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts, is the site for on-field drills, which draw thousands of fans with their free attendance. The city’s convention center and hotels are located in easy walking distance from the stadium.

This year’s combine runs from Feb. 27 through March 4.

“We know cities across the U.S. consistently vie to host all of the NFL’s events,” Visit Indy president and CEO Leonard Hoops said in a statement. “We appreciate the NFL’s continued confidence and partnership with Indy, and we are looking forward to continued growth in our city.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Deon Jackson (35) against Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (20) in the first quarter of a pre-season game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colts releasing RB Deon Jackson

The Indianapolis Colts are releasing Week 1 starter Deon Jackson and signing fellow running back Trey Sermon from the practice squad, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Jackson rushed for just 14 yards on 13 carries and gained only 14 yards on five receptions in the season-opening 31-21 loss to Jacksonville on Sept. 10.

Zack Moss got the start in Week 2 at Houston and gained 107 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches and scored on an 11-yard run in the Colts’ 31-20 victory.

With 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor still on the physically unable to perform list, Moss will remain the RB1 for the Colts (1-1) in Sunday’s game in Baltimore against the Ravens (2-0).

Jackson, 24, rushed for 281 yards and two touchdowns and caught 35 passes for 223 yards and one score in 27 games (three starts) over the last three seasons in Indianapolis. He was undrafted out of Duke in 2021.

Sermon, 24, was a third-round pick by San Francisco in 2021. He has rushed for 186 yards and one TD and has three receptions for 26 yards in 11 games (two starts) with the 49ers (2021) and Philadelphia Eagles (2022).

–Field Level Media