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Anthony Richardson has had a tumultuous season for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. The former Florida Gator and top draft pick has been benched and reinserted as the starter while dealing with inconsistent play and injuries.
Ahead of a Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants, the Colts announced that Richardson will be out and veteran Joe Flacco will start in his place. Richardson was banged up against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 and was held out of practice this week with back and foot injuries.
Flacco will now get his 5th start of the season. The QB has completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,167 yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Richardson, meanwhile, has completed less than 50% of his passes for 1,814 yards with 8 TDs and 12 INTs.
Unfortunately for Richardson, injuries have been a recurring theme of his short NFL career. The former Gator only played in 4 games as a rookie after suffering a grade 3 AC joint sprain. Heading into 2024, Richardson was fully healthy and expected to take a leap and prove he belongs as a starter in the league.
Instead, Richardson has struggled mightily and, for the most part, been outplayed by the veteran Flacco. The Colts are sitting at 7-8 and currently have a 10% chance of making the playoffs.
Before joining the Colts, Richardson impressed as the QB for the Gators. In 2022, Richardson threw for 2,549 yards while rushing for 654 yards and accounting for 26 total TDs.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
