INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is facing significant challenges as he missed practice for the third straight day on Friday. With the team set to face off against the New York Giants this Sunday, head coach Shane Steichen revealed that Richardson hasn't been ruled out yet despite grappling with foot and back injuries.

Richardson was marked as questionable on Friday's injury report as he navigates these physical setbacks. Coach Steichen, however, has kept the precise details of Richardson's ailments under wraps, only confirming that the back injury appears to be more serious than the foot issue.

Although the promising quarterback was present at the beginning of Friday’s practice, he was not suited up. Instead, veteran Joe Flacco took over for the first-team snaps, continuing the trend seen on Thursday. Interestingly, the team did not practice on Wednesday due to the holiday, leading to an estimated injury report that labeled Richardson as a nonparticipant.

When pressed about the possibility of Richardson participating in a limited capacity, Steichen emphasized, "He was just sore all week, really sore. So, we just stayed smart there." The decision to exercise caution is likely rooted in the Colts' careful management of their young quarterback's health.

As the season nears its climax, the Colts remain in the playoff hunt and could still vie for a postseason spot depending on the outcomes of games played by the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers this weekend. If both teams manage to win, however, Indianapolis would face elimination.

One intriguing aspect is that Steichen assured the team’s playoff aspirations would not dictate the choice of who starts at quarterback. With so much at stake, Colts fans are left wondering: Will Richardson make a surprise return, or is Flacco poised to lead the team into this critical matchup?