With Indianapolis' slim playoff hopes on the line, Joe Flacco is back in the starting saddle for the Colts.
Anthony Richardson, who was listed questionable with back and foot injuries, has been downgraded to out for Sunday's road game against the New York Giants, putting the 39-year-old backup into the starting lineup.
Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Friday that "how the next 48 hours go" will determine Richardson's availability, adding that the back injury is the bigger issue. Apparently, Richardson isn't healthy enough to play despite Indy needing to avoid a loss in order to remain in the playoff hunt.
Indianapolis currently has a 10% chance at making the playoffs, according to Next Gen Stats, but a win on Sunday against the Giants would boost that number up to 14%. While the Colts would still need help to get into the postseason on top of scoring two wins in the final two weeks, a loss on Sunday would take Indy out of the running completely.
They'll turn to Flacco to keep those hopes alive, but having the wily veteran in the starting lineup isn't an unfamiliar scenario for the Colts.
Steichen benched Richardson for Flacco midseason due to the second-year QB's struggles in the passing game. The veteran QB had showed he could boost the Colts' offense through the air when replacing an injured Richardson multiple times early in the 2024 campaign, but his 1-3 record at the helm wasn't good enough, leading Steichen to name Richardson the starter once again.
The Colts have since relied on a fervent ground attack to get back in the mix. The Colts generated 335 rushing yards in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, setting the franchise's new single-game record. Richardson helped that cause with 70 yards on nine carries and a rushing touchdown.
Going up against a Giants team that has surrendered 142.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the league, Indianapolis might just see if Jonathan Taylor has another big game in him after producing 218 yards last week. However, Richardson won't be there to add to that charge.
Colts-Giants is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
