Colts Start Veteran QB Flacco, Benching Rookie Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts have made the decision to bench rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, sources revealed to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.

Richardson's performance in Week 8 against the Houston Texans highlighted his struggles, as he completed just 10 of 32 passes for 175 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, finishing with a career-low completion rate of 31.25%. The fourth overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft has battled accuracy issues, recording a career completion rate of 50.2%. In 10 career games, Richardson has thrown seven touchdown passes and eight interceptions, while also providing a rushing element with 378 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Meanwhile, Flacco, a seasoned quarterback at 39, has appeared in four games for the Colts this season, two of which were starts. He has accumulated 716 passing yards with seven touchdowns and only one interception. The Colts signed Flacco to a one-year deal in the offseason after he led the Cleveland Browns to a 4-1 record in five starts last year.

The move comes as Indianapolis, currently 4-4, holds second place in the AFC South behind the 6-2 Texans. Head coach Shane Steichen commented after the team's recent loss to Houston that they were "evaluating everything." The Colts are scheduled to face the Minnesota Vikings on the road in Week 9.