Colts don't plan to limit Richardson's run game, even after injury - ESPN

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Avoiding injuries is a primary goal for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in 2024. But that doesn't mean the Colts are about to bubble wrap their franchise player, either.

Coach Shane Steichen said Thursday the Colts are going to continue to lean into one of Richardson's greatest attributes and continue to feature him as a runner when it makes sense.

Richardson missed 13 games after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury after leaving the pocket in Week 5 last season. But Steichen isn't changing philosophies.

«It's just like, 'Hey, are you going to limit the run game?'» Steichen asked rhetorically. «And I kind of think like, 'Shoot, are you going to limit Steph Curry from shooting three pointers?' Well, that's one of Anthony's strengths, right? So, we're not going to get away from that. That's what he does.»

While Richardson doesn't have the track record of Curry, the prolific Golden State Warriors' sharp shooter, he did enough as a rookie in 2023 to establish himself as a dangerous dual-threat player.

Richardson averaged 5.4 yards per carry, eighth among quarterbacks with 25 or more carries. His historic performance at the 2023 NFL scouting combine also reaffirmed his rare physical attributes, with his record-breaking vertical jump and one of the fastest quarterback times on record (4.43 seconds).

So, don't expect Steichen to relent on his usage of one of his team's top weapons.

«I think it's exciting because the playbook is open to everything,» Steichen said. «You've got a quarterback that can do everything. He can throw from the pocket, get out of the pocket, he can run the football. And then you have [running back] Jonathan Taylor who's one of the best backs in the league. To