Colts HC: Anthony Richardson 'Knows' He Can't Sub Out for Being Tired amid Criticism

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson made waves on Sunday when he told reporters he subbed himself out for a play because he was tired.

On Monday, head coach Shane Steichen said he addressed the situation internally.

"We had a conversation about it this morning in the quarterback room, which I'll keep private, but obviously in those situations he knows on those types of deals, you can't take yourself out," he told reporters.

He also said the Colts were leaving open the possibility of Joe Flacco, and not Richardson, serving as the team's starting quarterback next week:

It has not been a great season for the second-year quarterback.

Despite an enticing suite of physical tools at his disposal, Richardson has thrown for only 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games, completing an unseemly 44.4 percent of his passes while taking nine sacks. He's also rushed for 242 yards and a touchdown, and while the Colts are 3-3 in his starts, Flacco finished a Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Injuries have been an issue for Richardson for a second straight season. He was sidelined for two games after suffering an oblique injury in the Week 4 win over the Steelers. That was the fourth time in eight NFL games that Richardson left a game early due to an injury.

Prior early exits were caused by a bruised knee and concussion in Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2023 season, respectively, followed by a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5.

Flacco led the Colts to a 2-1 record after taking over for Richardson in Week 4, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception over that stretch. Given Richardson's struggles and his decision to take himself out for a play on Sunday, Indy's decision to sign Flacco for his 17th NFL season in March is seeming more and more like its most consequential move of the offseason.

At this point, it's debatable whether Richardson or Flacco would give the 4-4 Colts the best chance at reaching the postseason. Richardson was drafted to be the future of the franchise, but the present has been choppy.