NFL quarterback finally set to return after missing two games with a hip problem

Anthony Richardson has been cleared to start for the Indianapolis Colts this weekend after missing the last two games due to a hip problem.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Richardson’s return at quarterback during his press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Richardson was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet hit with Minkah Fitzpatrick in the first quarter of the Colts’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in September. He suffered a hip fracture in the collision.

Joe Flacco, 39, came in and replaced Richardson in his absence, with the Colts losing to the Jaguars before beating the Tennessee Titans last weekend.

Richardson spoke at the time he was injured and downplayed fears that he would miss significant time.

‘I feel a little sore. I think I’m doing well. It just hurts a little,” he said in the locker room. “I tried to go back, but I just couldn’t speed up the way I wanted to.

“So (Shane) Steichen wasn’t trying to confuse the team at this point, so I was like, ‘I’m just going to sit down.’

‘I was looking forward to going out with my team again. I wanted to contribute to the W. I think I did a little bit, but I wanted to be out there all the time. But shout out to my boys for getting the W today.”

His return is a huge relief for the Colts, who only drafted Richardson at quarterback in 2023 to play four games before shoulder surgery ruined his rookie year.