Colts Notebook: Anthony Richardson Iffy For Titans Game

Source: Courtney Culbreath / Getty

INDIANAPOLIS – Another road game in the division awaits the Colts this week.

It’s a trip to Nashville for the Colts as they look to get to 3-3 on the season.

What happened at the Colts first practice of the week?

• Here comes another week of uncertain Anthony Richardson (oblique) status. On Wednesday, Shane Steichen said this about if Richardson will practice: “AR will be out there.” When Steichen was then asked about Richardson’s participation status (full or limited), the head coach shared: “He will be out there practicing.” Compared to last Wednesday, Richardson looked much more like a starting QB during the first open media viewing of practice. That’s a positive sign. Richardson was very limited in his 3 days of work last week, as he missed his first game of the 2024 season. Remember, the last time we saw Richardson playing football (albeit for barely more than a quarter), he was outstanding against the Steelers. Was this real growth from September struggles against the Packers and Bears? Or was this a small in-game moment, like he has had before? Steichen said he saw real strides. “Absolutely,” the head coach said. “That Pittsburgh game, he started off on fire. Obviously, he got dinged up. So it’s tough. Because you are like, ‘Man who knows what could have happened in that game?’ He’s been attacking (the rehab). Like I said, we will see how the week goes. If he’s ready to go, and he feels good, and the doctors feel good, he’ll be out there.” One Richardson item to note from this past Sunday, the Colts did not have him dress as the team’s emergency 3 ^rd quarterback. Why was that? “Didn’t want to chance it,” is what Steichen said on Wednesday. Some teams have a limited QB still dress in that role, but the Colts elected not to. Richardson said on Wednesday the rotational aspect of his oblique injury have hindered him both as a runner and a thrower, but he is definitely feeling better than last week.

• No Jonathan Taylor (right ankle) at practice on Wednesday. Taylor didn’t practice at all last week, dealing with another right ankle sprain. Taylor did say last week this current ankle ailment isn’t as severe as what he dealt with in 2022 (which eventually ended his season that year, led to off-season surgery and to him missing the first four games of 2023). Given Taylor’s history with ankle injuries, his return seems to be one needing multiple days of practice. Shane Steichen said this on Wednesday about Taylor’s status: “He’s working through it. He’s looking good. We will see how the week goes with him, hopeful, we’ll see.” Along with Taylor, the following Colts didn’t appear to be practicing on Wednesday: Michael Pittman Jr. (back), Josh Downs (toe), Trey Sermon (collarbone) and Braden Smith (knee, ankle). More on the reported miss time coming for Pittman Jr. (back) here .

• Ryan Kelly (neck) practiced Wednesday for the first time in 5 practice sessions. More on what a Kelly return could mean this week below, especially with a new right guard now in play. Along with Ryan Kelly, it looked like a return to practice for Kwity Paye and Kenny Moore II.

• How will the Colts replace Will Fries the rest of the season (Steichen said on Wednesday “there’s a good chance” Fries misses the rest of the season)? During Sunday’s game, it was undrafted free agent Dalton Tucker playing the rest of the game at right guard. Tucker is a big body at 6-6 and 307 pounds, so the Colts could opt for that frame. On Wednesday, Steichen wouldn’t commit to Tucker being the guy there though moving forward, saying just, “Dalton has done a good job for us, but I won’t get into that.” On the smaller side of right guard options, the Colts could go with Danny Pinter or even rookie Tanor Bortolini, assuming Ryan Kelly (neck) returns. In training camp, the Colts had some occasional guard reps for rookie Matt Goncalves. Is that an option for the third-round pick?

• In Gus Bradley’s Tuesday press conference, did we get a glimmer of a change for his defense? Bradley mentioned the potential of needing to play tighter coverage, which should aid the pass rush when opposing offenses are trying to get rid of the ball quick. For this week specifically, such an approach is a must. The Titans are planning to start Will Levis, who has been very turnover prone this season and is dealing with a right shoulder injury. Forcing Levis to making throws in tight windows would be quite wise for the Colts. Is this wishful thinking or is this a change the Colts could have in Week 6?

• Speaking of defense, Shane Steichen feel the need to be more concentrated with the defensive staff this week, given that unit’s struggles? “I have conversations with Gus and hist staff every week, I meet with those guys every week,” Steichen said on Wednesday. Asked if it was more this week in a follow-up, Steichen said this: “Yeah, we talk, a lot.”

• What a start to the season for Alec Pierce in creating big plays. He’s averaging an eye-popping 28.3 yards per catch through 5 weeks. To put that into perspective, T.Y. Hilton’s career-high in yards per catch was a very impressive 17.2 during his rookie campaign. What Pierce has shown has to send a strong message to opposing defenses now in respecting him coverage wise. With Pierce over the top, Josh Downs’ shiftiness on third down, the Colts are going to cause defenses to make some decisions in their coverage plans, which should open up other things in the pass game.

• Again, it’s amazing to look at the Colts recent run in the division, winning just 4 of their last 15 AFC South games. Since 2022, the Colts have these records against the other AFC South teams: Titans (2-2), Jaguars (1-5), Texans (1-3-1). The Colts are 0-2 in the division to start this season with the Titans waiting in Week 6.

• It’s rare to see the Colts get to a Wednesday in a week and still have an open roster spot, but that’s the case here in Week 6. The Colts had 2 open roster spots earlier this week after Will Fries (right tibia) was placed on injured reserve and then CB-Dallis Flowers was waived. The team brought CB-David Long Jr. (12 career starts in 6 years) up from the practice squad to take up one of those two spots.

• The Colts made a roster move on Wednesday I’ve never seen before. They signed a 6-foot, 11-inch offensive tackle. Hie name is Jack Wilson. Yes, Wilson started his college career playing basketball at Oregon State and then Idaho, before transferring to Washington State, and walking on the football field there. Wilson is listed at 6-11, 310 pounds. To make room for Wilson, the Colts once again released K-Spencer Shrader from the practice squad.