Anthony Richardson takes himself out of game in third quarter for fatigue in Colts’ loss to Texans

Anthony Richardson didn’t exactly play the entire game for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. There was a play late in the third quarter where Richardson had to leave the game, but it wasn’t due to injury. 

Richardson left the game on third-and-goal at the Texans‘ 23-yard line after taking a sack near the line of scrimmage while avoiding a hit earlier in the play. The Colts quarterback tapped his helmet and took a knee on the sideline as Joe Flacco entered for one play. 

“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie,” Richardson said after the game, via The Athletic. “That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I didn’t think I was gonna be able to go that next play. So, I just told (HC Shane Steichen) I needed a break right there.”

Colts coach Shane Steichen defended Richardson, as he was coming off a sack that created the third-and-23 situation. The Colts were going to run on the third down play anyway, per Steichen, which was unsuccessful. Jonathan Taylor had a 5-yard run and Indianapolis kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 20-13. 

Flacco entered the game just to hand the ball off to Taylor. Richardson just missed the one play, as he finished 10 of 32 for 175 yards and a touchdown with an interception (45.3 rating), while also rushing for 45 yards.