The New York Giants had been gearing up for their Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts, expecting to see Anthony Richardson at quarterback, but they will face well-traveled veteran Joe Flacco instead.
Richardson had been dealing with back and foot issues and did not practice all week. He was ruled out on Saturday.
It’s been a running theme for the Colts regarding Richardson.
Richardson has now missed 16 of a possible 33 starts in the NFL due to 4 separate injuries: concussion, sprained AC joint in throwing shoulder, hip/oblique, back/foot.
Can’t really wave away availability concerns anymore
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) December 28, 2024
Paul Breti of Colts Wire offered a preview of what the 39-year-old Flacco brings at this stage of his career.
On the year, Flacco has appeared in five games, completing 67% of his throws at 6.9 yards per attempt with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. When Flacco was under center in Weeks 9 and 10 while Richardson was the backup, the offense struggled to get going.
The Colts are 6-5 with Richardson starting and just 1-3 with Flacco under center.
“He’s got all the skill set in the world,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said of Richardson this week. “Again, he’s a dual-threat player and he can affect any part of the field. Whether it’s with his legs or throwing it however far he needs to throw it.”
The Giants won’t have to worry about that now.
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