Colts HC: Anthony Richardson Will Start Over Joe Flacco When QB Returns from Injury

Despite veteran quarterback Joe Flacco's strong play for the Indianapolis Colts in the absence of Anthony Richardson, it sounds like Richardson will be back under center once he's healthy.

Per Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Monday that Richardson will be the starter when he returns from his oblique injury.

"He is our starting quarterback," Steichen said.

Since taking over for Richardson after he went down with the injury in a Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Flacco has completed 70.0 percent of his passes for 527 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the Colts to victory against the Steelers, but the team fell to 2-3 with a close 37-34 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Richardson, whose rookie season was limited to four games due to shoulder surgery, struggled to find his footing to start the 2024 campaign. The 22-year-old completed just 50.6 percent of his passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 141 rushing yards and a score.

Still, Steichen disagreed with the notion that inserting Richardson as the starter would sacrifice the chance to win now in exchange for his continued development into Indianapolis' franchise quarterback.

"We are trying to win football games," Steichen said. "That's the bottom line. We are trying to win football games. Obviously, when Anthony is out there, he makes a lot of big plays for us. That's where it's at."

Richardson participated in practice in a limited fashion last week, but it's not yet clear if he will be ready to return for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.