INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts are officially making a change at quarterback.
Reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler indicate the Colts have officially benched Anthony Richardson. On Sunday, Indianapolis will start 39-year-old journeyman Joe Flacco at quarterback.
According to Schefter, the Colts coaching staff made the decision to move forward with Flacco on Tuesday morning. Indy's nationally televised matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football will mark his third start of the season.
Indianapolis opted to bench Richardson after his lackluster performances against Miami and Houston. In both games, Richardson posted a completion percentage under 50.
In the Colts' 16-10 win over the Dolphins, Richardson went 10-of-24 for 129 yards. During Indy's 23-20 road loss to Houston last Sunday, Richardson was 10-of-32 for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Criticism of Richardson intensified after the Colts' outing against the Texans. The lone interception Richardson threw during the contest came just before halftime.
The pick gave Houston the ball inside the 20-yard line. On Houston's first offensive play following the turnover, quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown to Tank Dell.
The touchdown took the game from a 10-10 tie to a 17-10 halftime lead for the Texans.
The interception wasn't the only mistake Richardson has seen criticism for. Richardson tapped his helmet and pulled himself out of last Sunday's game when the Colts were facing a long third-and-goal situation.
Flacco then entered the game for one play in relief of Richardson, handing the ball of to Jonathan Taylor. After the game, Richardson told reporters he checked out of the game because he had done a lot of running the play before and was tired.
Before the Colts formally decided to bench Richardson on Tuesday, their coach Shane Steichen cast doubt on Richardson's starting status. When reporters questioned Steichen about Richardson's status, he said "We're evaluating everything — not just the quarterback — everything."
With Flacco at the helm, Indianapolis is 1-1 this season. He lost his first start to Jacksonvile, 37-34, but responded the following week by leading Indianapolis to a 20-17 win over Tennessee.
So far this season, Flacco has completed 71 of his 108 attempts (65.7%) for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Flacco, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory in 2013, also relieved Richardson during the Colts' game against the Steelers.
Flacco's racked up two prior starts this season because Richardson was sidelined with an oblique injury.
Richardson's benching could cloud the Colts' future at the quarterback position. Indianapolis invested the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Richardson, and on Tuesday, the Colts benched the 22-year-old for Flacco, who was drafted in 2008.
Flacco was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2023. In six games with the Cleveland Browns last season, Flacco completed 123 of his 204 passes for 1,615 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Browns were 4-2 in the games Flacco started.
As of Tuesday afternoon, it was not clear whether or not Flacco will remain the Colts starter for the rest of the season. Indianapolis signed Flacco to a one-year deal ahead of their 2024 campaign.
For more on Anthony Richardson's benching, follow FOX59's Mike Chappell on X for updates.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.