Report: Colts' Joe Flacco QB1 vs. Titans; Anthony Richardson Is QB3 amid Injury

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson reportedly will serve as the emergency third quarterback for his team's Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans with Joe Flacco set to start, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports previously reported on Saturday that Richardson planned to play on Sunday.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler previously reported Friday that "Richardson expects to play" as long as there is no "late-week surprise." The signal-caller exited his team's Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an oblique injury and then missed the Week 5 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Flacco played in Richardson's place and led the Colts to a 27-24 victory over the Steelers with two touchdown passes before doing what he could in the 37-34 loss to the Jaguars.

The veteran went 33-of-44 for 359 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions while turning back the clock, although Indianapolis' defense failed to contain Trevor Lawrence and Co. in the defeat.

It seemed like things were trending toward a Richardson return, as ESPN's Stephen Holder reported he participated in the team's last three practices and took most of the first-team snaps. Flacco took the first-team snaps last week ahead of the Jaguars games.

Head coach Shane Steichen said the 22-year-old "had huge strides this week, for sure."

The Colts will need Flacco to play well, as Holder noted star running back Jonathan Taylor will miss the game against the Titans with an ankle injury. What's more, go-to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is hampered with a back injury.

Richardson was the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft but has struggled to stay healthy to this point. He appeared in just four games last season and is now working his way back from a setback this year.

Remaining healthy and getting more reps is the only way he will realistically take needed strides in the passing game. He has completed 50.6 percent of his passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 141 yards and a score on the ground as a runner.