Editor’s Note: Colts QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) is tracking towards playing vs. the Titans, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
During the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts drafted their quarterback of the future with the No. 4 pick. However, former first-round pick Anthony Richardson’s first two years in the NFL have yet to go according to plan.
Richardson only started four games during his rookie season due to suffering a concussion and a sprained AC joint. During the offseason, Richardson fully recovered and was poised for a breakout sophomore season. However, he was injured again during the Colts’ week four game against the Steelers. Richardson injured his oblique in that game and was forced to miss last week’s game.
In Richardson’s absence, veteran Joe Flacco has shined, passing for 527 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Although there has been speculation if Richardson will still have the Colts’ starting quarterback job when he returns from injury, Head Coach Shane Steichen said on Monday that Richardson is still the Colts’ starting quarterback when healthy.
After being a limited participant in practice early in the week, Richardson returned to practice on Thursday at full capacity. Even when Richardson was healthy during the first three weeks of the season, he wasn’t performing well. Richardson had an impressive 27 fantasy point game in the first week of the season against the Houston Texans but followed it up with two games under 15 FPTS.
Richardson’s top target, Michael Pittman, is out for multiple weeks due to suffering a back injury. Josh Downs is coming off two straight weeks with at least 15 PPR fantasy points but has missed the last two practices due to a toe injury. Alec Pierce has been huge for the Colts this season and is the No. 22 WR in fantasy football, but he will be a priority for the Titans’ defense as the No. 1 option.
Unless you are in a desperate situation and have no other average quarterback on your roster, I wouldn’t start Richardson this week against the Tennessee Titans. Even against the worst passing defense, it is hard to trust him if he isn’t 100%. Richardson averages 13.1 FPTS per game, which is 27th in the NFL.
Verdict: SIT
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