Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson exited the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers not once, but twice within a mere four plays during the first quarter on Sunday.
The young athlete, in just his second year, endured two significant hits during designed runs—one impacting his hip that resulted in a fumble, and another striking his head. Following the second blow, he was escorted to the locker room due to a hip injury.
Team officials quickly labeled his return as questionable. Although Richardson made an appearance on the sideline early in the second quarter, he did not return to the field.
In his absence, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in, successfully throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs, extending the Colts’ lead to 14-0 with just 2:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Since being selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson has faced a string of injuries. His rookie season was cut short after just four games due to a shoulder injury, and he only managed to finish one of those matchups.
