Colts downgrade Anthony Richardson; Joe Flacco starts vs. Giants

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  • Stephen Holder, ESPNDecember 28, 2024, 1:59 PM ET

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      Stephen joined ESPN in 2022 and covered the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL as a whole. Stephen finished first in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors contest, and he is a past top-10 winner in expository journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out quarterback Anthony Richardson ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Richardson had been listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report after not practicing this week with foot and back injuries. Coach Shane Steichen said the back issue was the more pronounced of the two, saying, “He was just sore all week, really sore. So we just stayed smart there.”

A team source said Richardson was dealing with back spasms that had not been previously diagnosed.

Richardson will miss his third game of the season with an injury after sitting out two games with his oblique. Veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco will start in Richardson’s place.

A source indicated that the injury was not expected to prevent Richardson from playing in the Colts’ regular season finale.

The Colts remain alive in the playoffs and will still be in contention Sunday if the Los Angeles Chargers lose Saturday. The Colts would be eliminated with a Chargers win.