Tag: Indianapolis

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

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

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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

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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

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

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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

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) talks with Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts rule out C Ryan Kelly, LB Jaylon Carlies vs. Broncos

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The Indianapolis Colts downgraded four-time All-Pro center Ryan Kelly and rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the host Denver Broncos.

The Colts also added defensive end Tyquan Lewis (rib) to the injury report on Saturday and he was listed as questionable.

Indianapolis (6-7) placed offensive tackle Braden Smith on the reserve/non-football illness list and elevated guard Mark Glowinski from the practice squad to the active roster for the game against Denver (8-5).

The Colts had opened the 21-day practice window on Wednesday for Kelly, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury on Nov. 6, and for Carlies, who was on IR with a fibula injury and also has a shoulder issue.

While Kelly was limited at practice all week, Carlies was a full participant. Both can be activated any time during the three-week window.

Kelly, 31, has started all 121 regular-season and postseason games of his nine-year career, all with the Colts, who selected him 18th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Kelly earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019-21 and 2023 and was a second-team All-Pro choice in 2020.

Carlies, 23, has 21 tackles and one sack in seven games (three starts) since being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft out of Missouri.

Smith, 28, didn’t practice all week because of a personal matter and already had been ruled out. He has started 92 of 94 games, including 12 this season, since the Colts selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Auburn.

Glowinski, 32, played in and started one game at right guard this season, a 25-24 win at New England on Dec. 1. He has played in 125 games (97 starts) over 10 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (2015-17), New York Giants (2022-23) and Colts (2018-21, 2024).

–Field Level Media

Banners featuring images of running back Bijan Robinson (left) and receiver Zay Flowers at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indy keeps Scouting Combine through 2026

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Indianapolis booked the NFL Scouting Combine through 2026 in an agreement with the league, extending a partnership that dates to 1987 — the year Miami Hurricanes quarterback Vinny Testaverde went No. 1 overall.

The combine hosts more than 300 college football players over multiple days in late February for medical testing and evaluation, physical measurements, timing and strength testing, and on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium as a collective central peg in the scouting process for pro prospects.

Other cities, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Phoenix, have been discussed as possible hosts. But after the Colts announced the agreement on Thursday, the NFL appears to be committed to sticking with the decades-old plan for now.

“Indianapolis is uniquely designed and built to host an event as complex as the NFL Combine,” Pete Ward, chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Colts, said in a statement. “Efficiently moving prospects, team owners, coaching staff, medical personnel, and national media is seamlessly done in Indy, and the Colts are proud to be part of the team keeping the event in our city.”

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled for Feb. 27-March 2. The draft is being held in Green Bay from April 24-26.

Top 40-yard dash times, vertical leaps and position drills attract viewers and create headlines from Indianapolis. But team officials consistently cite medical evaluations — a fraction ahead of the in-person, 15-minute interviews with prospects typically conducted at team hotels — as the chief priority at the combine. Indianapolis has the ideal downtown setup with multiple hotels in near proximity to the Colts’ home stadium and convention center, which connects via skywalk to a number of locations in the immediate area.

Prospects generally fly into Indianapolis one day before the combine following a schedule set up by position group before running the gauntlet of the off-site medical evaluation, cognitive testing, drug testing, height-weight-arm-hand measurements, on-field testing, strength and agility tests, 15- to 20-minute media sessions and position drills.

Among the top prospects in the upcoming draft are Colorado cornerback-wide receiver Travis Hunter, a number of quarterbacks — Hunter’s teammate Shadeur Sanders, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Georgia’s Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers of Texas — and top-end secondary talent. Georgia safety Malaki Starks is the headliner.

But the most coveted talent might be the crop of defensive line or edge prospects. Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams are among blue-chip prospects.

The NFL confirmed the site of the combine through 2026 on Thursday morning.

“Indianapolis and the NFL Combine have a proud history together, so we’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Colts, and the local community for this 2026 event,” NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly said. “Our partners in Indy have successfully hosted the football evaluation process for decades, and recently, we’ve collectively worked to grow and evolve the in-person fan experience, bringing tens of thousands of fans closer to the league’s future stars.”

–Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

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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

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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

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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