With just two games left in the season, the Indianapolis Colts are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Their hopes also hinge on the availability of quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is nursing back and foot injuries ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants. Head coach Shane Steichen did not rule out Richardson on Friday, telling reporters, “We’ll see how the next 48 hours go.” The Colts have officially listed him as questionable for the game.
Richardson did not participate in practices this week, with Steichen noting that the back injury is currently the bigger concern.
This season, Richardson has faced a string of health setbacks. He missed two games following a hip injury sustained during the Colts’ Week 4 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in during his absence, leading the team to wins in that game and another against the Titans two weeks later. Flacco’s performance eventually earned him the starting role in Weeks 9 and 10, temporarily sidelining Richardson.
When Flacco’s results declined, Steichen reinstated Richardson, who has since leaned on his dual-threat capabilities to help secure victories in three of his last five starts, despite continued struggles with passing accuracy.
If Richardson is unable to play, Flacco will return as the starter. The Giants, coming off a 34-7 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons, struggled to stay competitive in the second half of that game, suggesting they may not pose the toughest challenge for the Colts. Still, Indianapolis must win both of their remaining games to keep their postseason chances alive.
As the decision on Richardson’s status looms, Steichen is prepared to wait until the final hours to make the call, knowing anything can happen in the unpredictable world of the NFL.
