Anthony Richardson Ruled Out; Joe Flacco to Start for Colts Against Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to severe back pain, head coach Shane Steichen announced Friday.
“Anthony just didn’t make enough progress this week with the back,” Steichen said, confirming that Richardson missed practice for the second consecutive week.
A Frightening Experience for Richardson
Richardson, who also missed Week 17’s 45-33 loss to the New York Giants, shared the extent of his discomfort during a press conference on Wednesday. “I could barely stand or walk; I had to crawl around the house on December 24,” Richardson said. “I’ve dealt with back issues since eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe. It was scary not being able to move, but I’m standing now and looking forward to playing again if I can.”
Joe Flacco Steps In
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will start in Richardson’s place, continuing his role as the team’s fill-in starter. Flacco previously replaced Richardson in Week 5 against the Jaguars, passing for 359 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow 37-34 loss. Last Sunday, Flacco delivered another solid performance in the loss to the Giants, completing 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite these contributions, the Colts have struggled this season, as Richardson faced multiple injuries, including oblique and back issues. The rookie quarterback, selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, had a challenging debut season. He completed just 47.7% of his passes, throwing 12 interceptions alongside eight touchdowns. However, he showcased his athleticism with six rushing touchdowns and led the Colts to a 6-5 record as a starter.
Playoff Hopes Dashed
The Colts’ loss to the Giants officially eliminated them from playoff contention, marking their fourth consecutive season without a postseason appearance. While Flacco aims to guide the team to a strong finish, Indianapolis will undoubtedly focus on getting Richardson healthy and addressing their offensive struggles for the 2024 season.
Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars represents another opportunity for Flacco to steady the Colts’ offense and for the team to evaluate their depth as they prepare for the offseason.
