Something changed since Monday.
After saying that Joe Flacco would remain the team’s starter earlier in the week, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that it instead will be Anthony Richardson getting the nod against the Jets on Sunday and for the rest of the season.
The Colts benched Richardson two weeks ago as the team had struggled to move the ball and after the 22-year-old had admitted to pulling himself out a game against the Texans for one play because he was “tired.”
Flacco, though, was unable to find the magic that he displayed last season when he led the Browns to a surprising playoff run.
The Colts lost back-to-back games to the Vikings and Bills, with Flacco throwing for 451 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
“Joe is a veteran guy, like I’ve said,” Steichen said Monday before his about-face. “He’s had two games that he’d want back, but he goes out there and throws some good passes.
“The interceptions, there’s three of those, there’s two he’d want back. Again, you stick with it, you grind through it, the process of this whole thing really is a process. We’re going through the process, and right now, Joe’s still our guy.”
Now, Anthony is the guy again as the Colts look to stay in the playoff race with their young quarterback.
The Colts (4-6) are one game behind the Broncos for the AFC’s final playoff spot and two games behind the division-leading Texans, although Houston swept the season series.
Richardson has thrown for 958 yards and four touchdowns, along with seven interceptions, while competing just 57.2 percent of his passes.
He’s added 242 rushing yards and one score on the ground.
