Colts Expecting Anthony Richardson To Start Versus Dolphins
Source: Andy Lyons / Getty
INDIANAPOLIS – Barring a setback this week, the Colts expect Anthony Richardson to be under center this Sunday as they return home to take on the Dolphins in Week 7.
Those words from Shane Steichen are an early-week commitment the head coach has shied away from the last two weeks, with Richardson missing those games, despite not sitting out any practice (5 limited practices, 1 full practice).
“Unless there’s a setback, I think he’ll be ready to go,” Steichen said of his young quarterback during his weekly Monday press conference.
Despite signs pointing to Richardson returning for the Titans game this past Sunday, the head coach decided to pull back on that late last week.
“Wanted to make sure (Richardson) was 100 percent. That’s what went into the decision,” Steichen said on Monday. “He’s really close and that’s why we had him as the 3rd emergency quarterback. He should be really looking good this week.”
Like Steichen did last week, he reiterated that a healthy Richardson is the team’s starting quarterback, and there’s no QB controversy with Joe Flacco.
“Obviously Flacco is a really good player and playing good ball for us, but when Anthony is healthy, he’s our quarterback,” the second-year head coach said.
Seeing Richardson dress on Sunday, but not play, is unusual.
It’s very rare to see a player leave game due to injury, not need surgery for that ailment, miss no practice time and yet still sit out multiple games.
The Colts had 7 players miss practice time last week, some missing more than one day of work, and yet all of them still played against the Titans.
Why the difference for Richardson?
“Case-by-case,” Steichen said on Monday. “Obviously, Anthony will touch the ball on every single play.
It’s a long season and we are 6 games into it, and we want to have him for the long haul. That’s kind of what went into the decision.”
The unfortunate reality for Richardson as he approaches the mid-way point of 2nd NFL season is he has started and finished just 4 of 24 games in his career.
Any playing time for him is really needed as he tries to prove both his ability in this league, and his availability, too.
It sounds like that is coming on Sunday versus the Dolphins.
The Colts will return to practice on Wednesday.
