Indianapolis – In a promising turn of events, Anthony Richardson, the dynamic quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, participated in team drills for the second consecutive day as he continues to recover from a hip and oblique injury sustained in a recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During a media-accessible practice session on Thursday, Richardson donned full uniform but was seen primarily throwing a limited number of low-effort, touch passes. He took snaps behind veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who is being considered as a potential starter should Richardson need more time to recover.

A comprehensive practice report is expected to be released later this afternoon. Notably absent from the open practice were key players, including running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle), center Ryan Kelly (neck), defensive end Kwity Paye (quad), and cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip). On a positive note, right tackle Braden Smith returned to practice after recovering from a knee issue, along with linebacker Zaire Franklin.

Both Richardson and head coach Shane Steichen have hinted that the quarterback could take the field even without a full week of practice. “I feel good,” Richardson remarked. “I’m still a little sore, but definitely better than I was after the game.”

The injury was incurred during a 14-yard scramble in the first quarter of a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Steelers. After missing a couple of plays to assess the injury, he attempted to execute a designed quarterback run at the goal line. He was unable to accelerate effectively and subsequently left the game, remaining on the sidelines but did not return despite being fully suited up.

Colts' head coach Shane Steichen reflected on the situation, stating, “It’s tough to watch. You bring him back into the game with a favorable matchup, and it’s disappointing when the plan doesn’t go as expected.”

Richardson has had a challenging start to his NFL career; despite only eight games played, he has not been able to complete four of those due to various injuries. While he faced criticism surrounding his injury history, he remains steadfast, stating, “It’s football. Injuries happen. If people were to try and take a hit from someone moving at 20-plus miles an hour, they’d feel sore too.”

For fans and fantasy football players, the question looms: How does Richardson's potential absence affect the Colts' offense? Should you consider picking up Joe Flacco? Last season, Flacco’s performance of 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five games as a Browns quarterback showcased his capabilities. If Richardson is sidelined, Flacco could be a valuable pickup.

Examining Richardson's overall performance this season, he has completed 50.6% of his passes for 654 yards, with three touchdowns and a league-leading six interceptions. His passer rating sits at 60.2, and he has demonstrated his dual-threat capability by rushing for 141 yards and one touchdown across 21 carries.

At just 22 years old, Richardson still has a long career ahead of him, turning 23 on May 22. As he focuses on recovery, Colts fans eagerly await updates that may define the trajectory of their season in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor Richardson’s situation and its impact on the Colts’ playoff aspirations!