INDIANAPOLIS – A day after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson briefly left a game because he was tired, coach Shane Steichen told reporters he is “evaluating everything,” including whether Richardson will start next weekend at Minnesota.

Richardson, pick no. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has struggled in two games since returning from a right hip injury that he initially acknowledged limited his throwing ability.

He also appeared to injure his left hand during Sunday’s 23-20 loss at Houston, which left Indy two games behind the Texans in the AFC South and a tiebreaker as they were swept by the rival their division.

What’s next for the Colts (4-4) is anyone’s guess.

“As of today, yes,” Steichen said when asked if Richardson was still the starter.

But when pressed on whether Richardson would start next weekend, Steichen replied, “We’re evaluating.”

Indy drafted Richardson with hopes of ending an ever-revolving carousel of quarterbacks that has included seven different Opening Day starters in seven seasons. The former Florida star finally ended that streak this year, becoming the first Colts quarterback to start in back-to-back openers since Andrew Luck in 2015 and 2016.

However, Richardson’s performance raised other questions. He won just half of his 10 NFL starts over two seasons, while injuries kept him out of six of 10 games and forced him to sit out 15.

Richardson’s statistics are even more troubling. He completed a career-low 44.4 percent of his throws this season and went 20-of-56 for 364 yards, a touchdown and an interception while losing two fumbles since returning from his hip injury.

The struggles have led many fans to suggest that backup Joe Flacco gives Indy a better chance to make the playoffs. And Richardson didn’t win many new admirers when he explained why he left Houston’s game in the second half on Sunday.

“Tired. I’m not going to lie,” Richardson said. “It was a lot of runs right there that I made and I didn’t think I was going to make it the next play.”

Over the last three weeks, Indy is averaging 303 total yards and 18.7 points per game, numbers that Steichen and Richardson know aren’t good enough to win consistently. And now, change could be coming — possibly at quarterback.

“He knows that with deals like this, you can’t get out,” Steichen said, also acknowledging that Richardson banging his helmet to leave the game isn’t why he’s rethinking potential solutions. “It’s a learning experience for him and he has to grow from it.”

what’s up

RB Jonathan Taylor. Whether it was good health, having Richardson in the backfield, or a combination, Taylor looked like the All-Pro he was three years ago. He exploded through holes, had his 19th career 100-yard game and caught a pass for 12 yards.

Which needs work

Run defense. The return of All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner should help Indy’s front seven as he gets healthier. But against Houston, he played limited snaps and what had been a season-long problem resurfaced. Joe Mixon rushed 25 times for 102 yards and a TD, his second straight 100-yard game against Indy.

Supply

WR Josh Downs. The speedy second-year punter showed again that he can get open, score on runs after the catch and even provide a boost on special teams. Downs is a big player every time he has the ball, and Indy needs to be more creative in getting him involved.

Stock down

WR Michael Pittman Jr. Yes, Indy’s toughest player is playing through a back injury that was expected to keep him out for several weeks. But Pittman hasn’t been himself since he was hurt. He has seven passes for 114 yards over the past three weeks and on Sunday, dropped a pass and drew an offensive interference call that erased a TD.

injury

Taylor, Buckner and starting LB EJ Speed ​​all returned to action Sunday, and Richardson finished the game. Only one player, reserve S Trevor Denbow (knee), suffered a significant injury in Houston. But on Monday, Steichen revealed that LT Bernhard Raiman reported concussion symptoms after the game and is now in the protocol.

Key number

3 – Indy basically fell three games behind Houston in the division.

Next steps

Steichen has a day or two to sort through his options before getting ready to face the Vikings. By Wednesday, he is likely to have made a decision on the necessary changes — even if he doesn’t make a public announcement.