Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson caused havoc on a second-and-goal drive from Houston’s 23-yard line until he was tackled for no gain by the Texans in the third quarter Sunday.

Then something unusual happened. Richardson wanted to leave the game. Was the second-year QB hurt? No. But he “tired.”

“It was a lot of running I did there.” Richardson said “And I didn’t think I could do that in the next game,” he said after the game.

Joe Flacco came onto the field, turned the play over, and the Colts hit a field goal to end the series trailing Houston 20-13 with 2:01 left in the third period. Richardson returned to take the remaining photographs of Indianapolis.

So, in the NFL, does a starting quarterback quit because he’s tired? Former Alabama All American ryan kellyThe nine-year veteran and four-year Pro Bowler at center for Indianapolis said he needed to talk to Richardson about it.

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“We discussed this issue” kelly said He said on Monday: “I think he knows that’s not the standard he should be playing for and the rest of the team is holding him to that. I leave our conversation here. I’m sure he’ll get some criticism for this, and rightly so. This is a very harsh look.

“At the same time, he gives everything for his team and sometimes it’s not always nice. The last few weeks there’s been a stagnation offensively, we’re just struggling to get going at times. I think we did some good things in the game. If anyone questions how hard he plays, I don’t think that’s the case. …

“He is young. I’m sure this was a learning moment for him and I’ll leave it at that.

After the game, Colts coach Shane Steichen defended Richardson.

“He needed to breathe” Steichen said. “It was third and long, so we said we were going to turn the ball over.”

But on Wednesday, Steichen announced that Flacco will be Indianapolis’ starting quarterback when the Colts face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CST at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. NBC will televise the game.

And Flacco will be a starter “going forward” and not just for this game.

“I think Joe gives us the best chance to win right now.” Steichen said on Wednesday. “However, we should not give up on Anthony in any way. Really not. He is a very talented young player and will use this time to continue to develop and grow professionally. …

“I just look at where we are as a football team. We’re sitting at .500 with a lot of football left, and I feel like Joe gives us the best chance going forward.”

Steichen said Richardson’s action in the third quarter on Sunday was not behind the decision.

“He knows he can’t do that in this situation.” Steichen said. “This is part of the process of growth and development that we are going through.”

The fourth player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson’s rookie season ended after four games due to a shoulder injury. He missed two matches this season due to injuries.

In his six starts, Richardson has completed 59 of 133 passes for 958 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions and rushed for 242 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries.

While Richardson’s average gain per completion is the best in the NFL at 16.2 yards, he is the only regular quarterback to complete less than 59 percent of his passes with a 44.4 percent completion rate and the league’s worst passing efficiency at 57.2. degree. That’s exactly half the rating league leader Lamar Jackson gives to the Baltimore Ravens.

kelly said While Richardson’s “physical attributes are exceptional” and his “leadership ability has increased exponentially since last year,” if the quarterback is feeling the burden of his draft status, he will have to shoulder it.

“4. Welcome to being chosen next, my friend.” kelly said. “That’s the life of a quarterback in the NFL. If you are the starting quarterback of an NFL team, there is a certain demand and standard that you must meet. You can debate whether this is right or wrong. There are 52 other players to carry that load, but you can’t win games without a great point guard. At the end of the day, that person has to be responsible for their actions, and that’s exactly who they are. He’s still young. We can talk ad naseum, but he’s done a great job of maturing over the past year. …

“Despite the adversity, the kid keeps coming back every week and trying to get better. I guess that’s all you can ask for from a guy like that.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @AMarkG1.