HOUSTON — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson wasn't on the field for a late-third-quarter play in a game in which his team trailed by two scores and later lost.
Curiously, Richardson was on the sideline not because he was hurt but, rather, because he was exhausted.
The second-year quarterback exited the game after scrambling around furiously on the previous two plays against the Houston Texans' defense. On a second-and-goal play from the Houston 23-yard line, Richardson shook off a would-be sack from defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi before turning up the field and looking for a target. Richardson ended up keeping the ball and was ultimately tackled by linebacker Jake Hansen for no gain.
Richardson got up slowly and headed to the nearby Colts sideline, tapping his helmet while in route. On the sideline, he immediately took a knee.
«I was tired,» he said. «I ain't gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn't think I was going to be able to go that next play, so I just told [Colts coach] Shane [Steichen] I just needed a break right there.»
Richardson's departure from the game initially raised questions about whether he had sustained an injury. Earlier in the game, he took a hit that impacted his left hand and was seen flexing it on the sideline. But trainers who checked on him did not appear to be treating an injury and seemed satisfied that he was fine.
«He needed a breather,» Steichen said. «He ran three times in a row and it was third and long, so we were going to hand the ball off.»
Backup quarterback Joe Flacco entered the game and did, in fact, hand off to running back Jonathan Taylor on a third-and-goal from the 23. Taylor gained 5 yards, and the Colts settled for a 37-yard field goal,
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