INDIANAPOLIS – Anthony Richardson’s status for Sunday’s road test against the New York Giants is in question, although a source with knowledge of the quarterback’s injuries indicated the Indianapolis Colts are cautiously optimistic he’ll play.
Richardson did not practice Thursday because of back and foot injuries. He was on the field during the portion of practice open to the media, but backup Joe Flacco worked with the starting unit.
The team also listed Richardson as a non-participant on Christmas Day, but that was simply an estimation of his projected status because the Colts did not practice Wednesday.
The source said Richardson’s availability probably will be determined by how he responds to Friday’s practice.
Richardson has started the past five games since being benched for two games. That’s the longest stretch of his brief career.
He’s coming off Sunday’s 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans, which saw him contribute a career-high 70 yards and one touchdown on nine carries to the Colts’ club-record 335 rushing yards. He completed 7-of-11 passes for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked once.
Tuesday, Richardson admitted he was feeling the aftereffects of the Titans game, and the grind of the season. He missed two games earlier this year with an oblique injury.
“From the start of the season, you’re going to feel those hits the next day,’’ he said. “It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, like in college I didn’t really get sore. But NFL, it’s a different breed, different game. You have some grown men out there playing football, so it’s always a little different getting tackled by those guys. But it’s all part of it. You just have to keep adjusting and just keep your body right so you can keep performing.’’
Richardson’s rookie career also was marred by injuries.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft missed one game with a concussion, and the final 12 games after undergoing surgery to repair a sprained AC joint in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Playoff push
Heading into Sunday’s meeting with the Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with a 7-8 record has relegated the Colts to scoreboard watching. They need help to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
A harsh reality: The Colts could be eliminated by Saturday evening.
Saturday’s schedule includes the 9-6 Los Angeles Chargers meeting 3-12 New England in Foxboro at 1 p.m. and 9-6 Denver meeting the 7-8 Bengals in Cincinnati at 4:30 p.m.
If the Chargers and Broncos both post their 10th win, the Colts are eliminated.
A loss by either keeps Indy’s hopes alive heading into the final week of the season. The Colts don’t win a tiebreaker at 9-8 with Denver – if the Broncos lose their final two games –based on last Sunday’s loss, but would have the edge on the Chargers based on a better conference record.
The Colts would also earn a wild-card spot if there’s a three-way tie at 9-8 involving either the Chargers or Broncos and either Miami or Cincinnati. Indy would have a better conference record.
Every playoff scenario for the Colts requires them to win on Sunday against the Giants and on Jan. 5 against Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner isn’t one of those scoreboard watchers.
“For me personally, it’s kind of out of sight, out of mind,’’ he said. “I mean, I just know we have to handle our own business, you know what I mean? And at the end of the year or after these two weeks, however it shakes out, it shakes out. We get some help and we get in, great. If we don’t, I mean, that’s on us and shame on us.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.