Colts 'evaluating' Anthony Richardson's status as QB1

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was non-committal when asked if quarterback Anthony Richardson will start in Week 9.

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

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.

Backup quarterback Joe Flacco could see more action if Steichen makes a change. The 39-year-old veteran was 1-1 in two starts earlier this month against Jacksonville and Tennessee.

--Field Level Media