Colts' Steichen Defends Anthony Richardson amid 'Injury-Prone' Label: 'It's Football'

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen pushed back at the notion quarterback Anthony Richardson is injury-prone.

"There's always those things out there: Injury-prone, guys get hurt," Steichen said Monday, per Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. "It's football. Guys go out and play, injuries happen sometimes. You don't want them to happen. Obviously, it happened. Obviously, it wasn't a huge, huge injury. We'll see how the week progresses and go from there."

Erickson noted Richardson suffered a hip pointer during Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which marked the fourth time in his eight NFL starts he couldn't finish a game he began because of injury.

Richardson's rushing ability is a major reason Indianapolis selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. But that rushing ability also increases the chances he is going to suffer an injury compared to a quarterback who spends more time in the pocket.

There may need to be an adjustment at some point if he is going to live up to expectations, although the Colts can at least take solace knowing they have a formidable backup option if the starter can't play in the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Joe Flacco took over for Richardson against the Steelers and went 16-of-26 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 27-24 victory. It was more of the same for the veteran who went 4-1 down the stretch and led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs last season.

The Colts are counting on Richardson eventually becoming the franchise quarterback they envisioned, and his ability to stay healthy will be imperative to the long-term future of the organization.

But Flacco can keep them in the playoff picture in the short-term amid any lingering injury concerns.