Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen has pushed the reset button on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
After benching Richardson for veteran Joe Flacco the past two weeks without the desired effect in the win column, Steichen is going back to Richardson for Sunday’s trip to East Rutherford, N.J., to battle the New York Jets.
Steichen sat Richardson down after a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Oct. 27. Richardson not only struggled with accuracy in that game (10-of-32 passing), but he also took himself out before a key third-down play in the second half, acknowledging he was tired.
Flacco threw a combined four interceptions in losses to Minnesota and Buffalo, including a pick-six in last week’s 30-20 setback to the Bills on Indianapolis’ first play of the game. Steichen said Richardson has taken steps in the right direction while serving as QB2.
“He’s made strides in that area, big-time strides, becoming a pro’s pro,” Steichen said. “Is he a finished product? No, he’s not, and it’s my job to help him get there. He’s going to start this week; he’s going to start the rest of the season.”
Richardson has completed only 44.4 percent of his 133 passes for 958 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s rushed for 242 yards, second on the team, but has fumbled six times in six games.
For his part, Richardson said his brief stint on the bench opened his mind.
“I’m thankful for these past two weeks,” he said. “As a competitor, you never want to just be on the sideline. You always feel like there’s an opportunity for you to go out there and help the team. But sitting on the sideline just allowed me to look and see certain things I can correct about myself.”
If Richardson can make those corrections, the Colts (4-6) still have time to catch Houston, which owns a two-game lead over them in the AFC South. Houston swept the season series between the teams.
While Richardson returns, Aaron Rodgers continues as the New York quarterback in what’s shaping up to be a lost year for a franchise that specializes in lost years. Rodgers mirrored his team’s struggles in last week’s 31-6 loss at Arizona, managing only 151 yards on 22-of-35 passing but losing 23 yards while taking three sacks.
Nevertheless, Rodgers is holding on to hope that the Jets (3-7) can make a run to a playoff spot.
“You know we’re not mathematically eliminated,” he said. “There’s a lot to play for. At the end of the day, one thing we can play for, whether we’re 10-0 or 3-7, is pride.”
Realistically, New York has played about every card it can to turn things around. It fired coach Robert Saleh after dropping to 2-3 with a Week 5 loss vs. Minnesota but is just 1-4 since installing Jeff Ulbrich as the interim coach. And the acquisition of Davante Adams, Rodgers’ favorite target during his days in Green Bay, hasn’t helped, either.
Even the reliable defense had trouble in Arizona. The Jets gave up 406 total yards and 28 first downs.
“A criminal, egregious amount of missed tackles,” Ulbrich said.
The Jets ruled out starting left tackle Tyron Smith (neck), linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) and offensive lineman Jake Hanson (hamstring) for Sunday’s game. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (knee) and wide receiver Davante Adams (wrist/illness), were listed as questionable. Adams was a full participant on Friday and is expected to play, Ulbrich said.
The Colts ruled out one player, offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee), who missed practice all week. Linebacker E.J. Speed (knee), who was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but a full participant on Friday, is questionable.
Indianapolis owns a 44-32 lead in the all-time series, including the postseason. The Colts earned a 45-30 victory in the teams’ most recent matchup — on Nov. 4, 2021.
