Anthony Richardson makes surprising claim about why he took a play off
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) fixes his head band Saturday, July 29, 2023, during Colts Training Back Together Weekend at Grand Park in Westfield. Credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStar/ USA TODAY NETWORK
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans for one play in the third quarter, and his explanation for it was pretty wild.
Richardson was sacked on a 2nd-and-goal play late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at NRG Stadium in Houston, and he tapped his helmet to ask out of the game afterward. Joe Flacco replaced him for the 3rd-and-goal play from the Houston 23-yard line, which turned out to be a simple handoff to Jonathan Taylor.
After the game, Richardson confessed that he asked out of the game because he felt too fatigued to run the next play.
“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I don’t think I was going to be able to go that next play,” Richardson said. “So I just told Shane (Steichen) I needed a break right there.”
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on taking himself out of the game in the 3rd quarter: “Tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there that I did … So, I just told Shane (Steichen) I needed a break right there.”
(🎥 @WISHNews8)pic.twitter.com/5DiUalDXDU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2024
ESPN personality Pat McAfee, a former Colts punter, correctly identified the situation immediately and was highly critical of Richardson for asking out of the game.
I had never seen an NFL QB tap out while still being healthy until watching Anthony Richardson.. The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is loud and influential.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 27, 2024
Richardson was good to go for the next Colts drive and led the team downfield for a touchdown.
On one hand, if Richardson did not think he could run the next play successfully, he may have been doing the Colts a favor. On the other hand, it is not a good look to have to ask out of a game on 3rd and goal, even if the Colts were 23 yards out of the end zone.
While nobody questions Richardson’s physical abilities, he went just 10/32 passing Sunday for 175 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also added 45 rushing yards, but even with that taken into account, those numbers are nowhere near good enough. Still, the Colts do not appear inclined to make a change, even though Sunday’s loss dropped them to 4-4.