The Indianapolis Colts are holding on by a thread as their quarterback situation has spun out of control.
Philip Rivers could not deliver a win last week in an 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in place of starter Daniel Jones, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury two weeks ago. The loss plummeted the Colts’ playoff hopes to just 10%, according to NFL.com.
Rivers will get the start against the San Francisco 49ers this week for the Colts (8-6), who announced an Anthony Richardson development with just three weeks remaining this season.
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On Thursday, Dec. 18, Richardson was designated to return to practice after spending two months on injured reserve with an eye injury. ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported that Indianapolis will not commit to playing Richardson this season until the team evaluates his condition further.
“He still has some vision limitations in his [right] eye,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “So we’re going to get him back on the practice field, get him throwing, doing some scout-team reps. It’s just something that’s he’s going to have to manage through the process.
“There’s not really major limitations,” Steichen added. “It’s just a little different because of the impact in my eye, but most of it’s really the same. I was still able to move around the same and do everything I needed to do. So that’s not that bad.”
With the Colts’ chances at the playoffs on thin ice and their future at quarterback unclear, this week’s game could impact their plans short- and long-term.
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If the Colts are eliminated from the postseason and Richardson is cleared, the Colts could trot the former first-round pick onto the field for the remainder of the season, muddying Jones’ chances at a future in Indianapolis.
Jones was playing at a Pro Bowl level for much of the season until he suffered a tibia injury that he played through for two weeks before his Achilles tear. However, his health is a serious question and could deter the Colts from making a strong commitment to him for the future.
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