Analysis

General manager Chris Ballard has stated that Indianapolis will hold an open competition to determine a Week 1 starter for the 2025 campaign. That QB battle will take the form of Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, versus Jones, a 2019 first-rounder who started for New York until 2024, when he was benched and ultimately released. Richardson has struggled with both consistency and availability across two seasons in the NFL, having appeared in just four games as a rookie and 11 games in 2024, though he has displayed a higher potential ceiling than the more experienced Jones. Training camp and the preseason will prove pivotal for the careers of both Richardson and Jones, as the pair of signal-callers compete for one starting job.

Analysis

Ballard announced in early January that Richardson wasn't locked in atop the depth chart, but his use of the term "open competition" is a clearer indication that the QB will need to truly earn any starting reps he receives in Year 3. Joe Flacco is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, but Indianapolis could find another veteran on the open market or select a signal-caller in April's draft. Richardson missed the final two games of the 2024 campaign due to a back injury, but there have been no indications it's still an issue for him.

Analysis

"We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster," Ballard said of Richardson. "The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he's got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question. We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he's not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games." Joe Flacco was signed to be Richardson's backup last offseason, but his one-year deal is set to expire in March, and at 40 years old (next week) he's not realistic competition. The Colts hold the No. 14 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, and the roster has needs all over. Whichever way Ballard tries to find that quarterback competition, it's become clear that Richardson's leash is tightening in Indianapolis after he's started just 15 of a possible 34 games across his first two seasons.

Analysis

Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Steichen also relayed that veteran QB Joe Flacco will start in place of Richardson on Sunday. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft thus finishes his second season as a pro having completed 126 of his 264 pass attempts for 1,814 yards with eight TDs and 12 picks to go along with 86 carries for 499 yards and six rushing scores in 11 games. Now that he's been deemed out for Week 18, Richardson will turn his focus to moving past his back issue and approaching the 2025 campaign healthy.

Analysis

Richardson also was listed as a non-participant Wednesday and Thursday, so it doesn't seem likely he'll be available for Sunday's season finale against the Jaguars. If that's the case, Joe Flacco would be in line to start at QB for the Colts for the second straight game.

Analysis

Richardson was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, so the QB's absence from Thursday's session puts the focus on what he's able to do Friday in terms of his availability for Sunday's season finale against the Jaguars. If Richardson is unavailable versus Jacksonville, Joe Flacco presumably would draw the Week 18 start for the 7-9 Colts.

Analysis

Richardson revealed Wednesday that he was barely able to walk last Tuesday because the pain from a disc issue in his back was so bad. He said he's feeling "way better" this week and will try to play in the season finale, hoping to finish out a disappointing campaign with a strong individual performance and a Colts win. Richardson also revealed that he's dealt with back spasms since eighth grade and has issues that "might be chronic," but won't necessarily require surgery, per James Boyd of The Athletic. None of this is good news for his long-term outlook, nor for his Week 18 rushing projection if he plays.

Analysis

Back issues prevented Richardson from playing in Week 17, but the quarterback could return to action this weekend depending on how he fares in practice over the next three days. With the Colts holding a walk-through session Wednesday, what Richardson is able to do during Thursday's session will provide a better indication of which direction he's trending in for Sunday's contest. For his part, Richardson -- who dislocated that he's dealing with a disc issue -- said Wednesday that he's feeling much better this week compared to last, per Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.

Analysis

Richardson also has been dealing with a foot injury, but head coach Shane Steichen indicated last week that the back problem -- which he clarified to be back spasms Monday -- was the bigger issue. Steichen did indicate Monday that Richardson is feeling better, so there's a legitimate chance the rookie QB could return to a starting role Sunday. If Richardson can't play, Joe Flacco -- who threw for 330 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions Sunday in a loss to the Giants -- would likely start behind center again.