NFL quarterback 'devastated' at team's shock decision to bench him

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson has been near 'pretty devastated' by his team's stunning determination to bench him.

The Colts, 4-4 and 2nd successful nan AFC South, announced that Joe Flacco, 39, was being elevated up into Richardson's domiciled arsenic starting QB aft Sunday's constrictive 23-20 nonaccomplishment to Houston Texans.

Richardson caused outrage during that crippled erstwhile he appeared to 'tap out' on a cardinal third-and-goal successful nan 3rd quarter, later telling reporters that he was tired.

And, ESPN's Colts newsman Stephen Holder says Richardson is upset astatine losing his place.

'They want Richardson to return a measurement back, return a break from nan pressures of nan occupation and effort to turn during this time,' Holder explained connected X.

'That is evidently different than what was said previously, erstwhile nan statement was that he should play and study connected nan job.'

Holder continued: 'And, if you're wondering, I was told Richardson was beautiful devastated by nan news, arsenic you'd expect. But he'll beryllium a pro. No 1 is concerned astir that part.'

Flacco has played successful 3 NFL games truthful acold this season, engineering 2 wins complete nan Tennessee Titans and nan Pittsburgh Steelers. Even successful nan 1 nonaccomplishment - to nan Jaguars - he threw for 359 yards and impressed.

The 22-year-old Richardson was picked 4th by nan Colts successful nan 2023 NFL Draft but only played up to Week 5, erstwhile he sustained a enarthrosis wounded against nan Titans that ruled him retired for nan season.

Pat McAfee slammed Richardson for opting retired of Sunday's crippled for a moment. 

The erstwhile Colts subordinate wrote connected X: 'I had ne'er seen an NFL QB pat retired while still being patient until watching Anthony Richardson.

'The QB is your franchise. The connection it sends is large and influential.'

Many fans concurred.

'I'm done pinch this experiment,' wrote one. 'He's not nan reply Pat. Even if he was, location is nary measurement he could beryllium patient a afloat season.'

Richardson revealed his reasoning for his exit successful his postgame property conference. 

'Tired, I ain't gonna lie,' he told nan media. 'That was a batch of moving correct location that I did, and I didn't deliberation I was gonna beryllium capable to spell that adjacent play. 

'So, I conscionable told (HC Shane Steichen) I needed a break correct there.' 

Richardson's time wasn't overmuch amended otherwise. He completed only 10 of 32 passes, and while he did link pinch Josh Downs connected a 69-yard touchdown, nan erstwhile Florida prima besides had an interception and 2 fumbles arsenic well. 

The Colts play nan Minnesota Vikings adjacent connected Sunday nighttime successful nan NFL.