By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — One day after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson briefly took himself out of a game because he was tired, coach Shane Steichen told reporters he was “evaluating everything,” including whether Richardson will start next weekend at Minnesota.
Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has struggled in two games since returning from an injured right hip that he initially acknowledged reduced the torque on his throws.
He also appeared to hurt his left hand during Sunday’s 23-20 loss at Houston, which left Indy two games behind the Texans in the AFC South and down a tiebreak because they were swept by their division rival.
What’s next for the Colts (4-4) is anybody’s guess.
“As of right now, today, yes,” Steichen said when asked if Richardson still is the starter.
But when pressed about whether Richardson will start next weekend, Steichen responded: “We’re evaluating.”
Indy drafted Richardson with the hope he would end a constantly spinning quarterback carousel that included seven different opening-day starters in seven seasons. The former Florida star finally ended that run this year, becoming the first Colts quarterback to start in consecutive openers since Andrew Luck in 2015 and 2016.
Still, Richardson’s performance has created other questions. He’s won just half of his 10 NFL starts in two seasons while injuries have prevented him from finishing six of 10 games and forced him to sit out 15.
Richardson’s stats are even more troubling. He’s completed a league-low 44.4% of his throws this season and has gone 20 of 56 for 364 yards, one touchdown and one interception while losing two fumbles since returning from the hip injury.
The struggles have prompted many fans to suggest backup Joe Flacco gives Indy a better chance to make the playoffs. And Richardson didn’t win many new admirers when he explained why he left the Houston game during the second half Sunday.
“Tired. I ain’t going to lie,” Richardson said. “That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that next play.”
Over the last three weeks, Indy is averaging 303 total yards and 18.7 points per game, numbers Steichen and Richardson both know is not nearly good enough to win consistently. And now, change could be coming — possibly at quarterback.
“He knows, on those type deals, you can’t take yourself out,” Steichen said, while also acknowledging Richardson tapping his helmet to leave the game is not why he’s rethinking potential solutions. “It’s a learning experience for him and he’s got to grow from it.”
WHAT’S WORKING
RB Jonathan Taylor. Whether it was good health, having Richardson in the backfield or some combination, Taylor looked like the All-Pro he was three years ago. He exploded through holes, produced his 19th career 100-yard game and caught one pass for 12 yards.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Run defense. The return of All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner should help Indy’s front seven as he gets healthier. But against Houston, he played limited snaps and what has been a season-long problem re-emerged. Joe Mixon ran 25 times for 102 yards and a TD, his second straight 100-yard game against Indy.
STOCK UP
WR Josh Downs. The speedy second-year player again showed he can get open, score on runs after the catch and even give the special teams a boost. Downs is a big-time playmaker whenever he has the ball, and Indy needs to be more creative in getting him involved.
STOCK DOWN
WR Michael Pittman Jr. Yes, Indy’s toughest player is playing through a back injury that was expected to keep him out multiple weeks. But Pittman has not been himself since getting hurt. He has seven passes for 114 yards over the last three weeks and on Sunday, he dropped a pass and drew an offensive pass-interference call that wiped out a TD.
INJURIES
Taylor, Buckner and starting LB E.J. Speed all returned to action Sunday and Richardson finished the game. Only one player, backup S Trevor Denbow (knee), appeared to a suffered a significant injury at Houston. But on Monday, Steichen revealed LT Bernhard Raiman reported concussion symptoms following the game and is now in the protocol.
KEY NUMBER
3 — Indy fell essentially three games behind Houston in the division.
Next steps
Steichen has one or two days to sort out his options before preparing to face the Vikings. By Wednesday, he likely will have made a decision about what changes are needed — even if he doesn’t make a public announcement.
