Colts HC Shane Steichen not committed to Anthony Richardson: 'We're evaluating everything'

Anthony Richardson's rookie season didn't go according to plan, and it's safe to say his sophomore campaign isn't going much better. Between injuries and poor play, there is little room for error for the 22-year-old. Ultimately, a third reason may cost him the starting job.

On Sunday in Week 8, Richardson made a few unforced errors. However, none of them were bigger than when he removed himself from the game on a key third-and-goal in the third quarter. The Colts trailed the Texans by 10 in a game that could go a long way in determining the AFC South winner by season's end.

Anthony Richardson 'Tired'

After a scramble, Richardson tapped his helmet and exited the game. Joe Flacco came in to hand the ball off to Jonathan Taylor, and Indianapolis would have to settle for a field goal. Richardson never received medical attention and returned on the Colts' next drive. After the game, he told reporters what happened in that weird sequence.

“Tired, I ain’t going to lie,” Richardson said. “That was a lot of running right there, and I didn’t think I was going to go that next play. I needed a break right there.”

When asked by reporters on Monday, head coach Shane Steichen wouldn't commit to starting Richardson against the Minnesota Vikings on "Sunday Night Football," saying, "We're evaluating everything."

Steichen did say he spoke with Richardson about removing himself from the game. "We had a conversation about it in the quarterback room, which I'll keep private," Steichen said. "Obviously, in those situations, he knows you can't take yourself out. It's a learning experience for him, and he has to grow from it."

Center Ryan Kelly also said he spoke with the young quarterback on Monday.

"He knows it's not the standard that he needs to play up to," Kelly said. The offensive lineman, like Steichen, considers it a learning moment for Richardson.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY UPDATE: Will Christian McCaffrey return in Week 10? 49ers RB eyeing comeback after bye

Regardless, the controversy and poor play could put Flacco in line to assume the starting job again. The well-traveled veteran has already made two starts in place of the then-injured Richardson while boosting the team's passing attack. Richardson has eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark just twice in six starts.

At halftime in Week 8, the second-year signal caller had some ugly numbers. He completed 2 of 15 passes for 81 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

That level of play has invited plenty of criticism this season, especially since he's taken a significant step backward in his development. Richardson is completing just 44.4 percent of passes while throwing four touchdowns and seven interceptions. That's compared to a 59.5 percent rate last season in four games when he tossed three touchdowns to just one interception.

Critics outside the building also took the chance to pile on Richardson after the team's loss. Former Colt and current ESPN personality Pat McAfee, ESPN's "Get Up," former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, and everyone in between have been quick to weigh in.

Indianapolis is currently 4-4 and will look to secure a wild card spot as the division slips away.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colts could bench Anthony Richardson: 'We're evaluating everything'