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The Indianapolis Colts will start veteran quarterback Joe Flacco over former first-round pick Anthony Richardson in Sunday's (November 3) game against the Minnesota Vikings, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Tuesday (October 29).
"QB change: The #Colts are planning to start Joe Flacco this Sunday night against the #Vikings, sources say. A major move, as the former first-rounder Anthony Richardson heads to the bench," Rapoport wrote on his X account. "Coach Shane Steichen foreshadowed the move, declining to commit to Anthony Richardson yesterday. Now, Joe Flacco is back as the starter."
Flacco, 39, has gone 1-1 in two starts for the Colts, throwing for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception on 71 of 108 passing. The former Super Bowl champion previously took over as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback for the team's final five games of the 2023 regular season, going 4-1 and clinching a playoff berth prior to a blowout loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round.
Flacco ranks 18th in NFL history with 44,104 career passing yards and tied for 28th with 247 passing touchdowns. Richardson, 22, who Flacco replaced in Weeks 5 and 6 due to an oblique injury, has gone 3-3 in six starts during his second NFL season, throwing for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions on 59 of 133 passing, while also recording 242 yards and one touchdown on 41 rushing attempts.
The former No. 4 overall pick only appeared in four games during his rookie year before suffering a season-ending concussion.