Colts' Anthony Richardson fires back after fans call QB injury-prone
In the Indianapolis Colts' 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 on Sunday, quarterback Anthony Richardson left the game with an oblique injury.
On a 16-yard run, Richardson was hit by Steelers defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott and left the game. He returned two plays later, but after realizing he couldn't accelerate as fast as normal, the Colts took him out. After a trip to the locker room, Richardson tried to return to the field but the Colts kept him out for the rest of the game.
Following the injury, fans criticized Richardson for being injury-prone, suffering another injury in his short NFL career. On Wednesday, he clapped back at fans.
"It's football," Richardson said. "I'm pretty sure if they got out of the house and came out here and got hit by somebody that was running 20-plus miles per hour every week, you know, I'm pretty sure they would be sore and dealing with injuries as well.
"You know, people are gonna talk. That's what people do. So, I'm not necessarily worried about it. Just trying to focus on getting better day by day."
Backup quarterback Joe Flacco filled in for Richardson and helped the Cots (2-2) earn the 27-24 victory against the Steelers, who were undefeated at the time.
Anthony Richardson injury history
Following his injury during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Anthony Richardson is considered day-to-day with oblique and abdominal strains. He's questionable for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Richardson had two injuries as a rookie last season. In Week 2, he suffered a concussion against the Houston Texans and returned in Week 4. In Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, Richardson sustained a season-ending injury to his right/throwing shoulder, suffering an A/C joint sprain.
Richardson had two minor injuries and one major injury with the Florida Gators. In 2021, he had a hamstring strain and suffered a concussion before suffering a meniscus tear on Nov. 27, 2021.
Richardson has had his fair share of injuries in his football career. It's fair of fans to be frustrated seeing him getting knocked out of the Colts' fourth game of the season.
The Colts will face the Jaguars this Sunday, and if Richardson is inactive, it will be the first game he's missed this season.