Pat McAfee slams Anthony Richardson for ‘tapping out’ in Colts vs Texans

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was not injured when he ejected himself in the first half of Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans.

No, the former first-round pick was simply out of breath, according to the CBS Sports broadcast.

Richardson was hit hard by Texans linebacker Jake Hansen during a first-half scramble before tapping the top of his own helmet as if to call for a substitution from the sideline. Many expected to hear of another serious injury for Richardson, who missed most of his rookie season due to a concussion and a shoulder problem.

But upon hearing that the second-year signal caller was not injured, just tired, many took the opportunity to express their frustration with Richardson.

The main critic was a former Colts player: retired gambler Pat McAfee.

Former Colts punter Pat McAfee (pictured) disagreed with Anthony Richardson ‘tapping out’

Richardson’s main critics were a former Colts player: retired gambler Pat McAfee

“I had never seen an NFL QB tapped while healthy until I watched Anthony Richardson,” McAfee, a popular ESPN talk show host, wrote on X. “The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is loud and influential.”

Many fans agreed.

“I’m done with this experiment,” one wrote. “He’s not the answer Pat. Even if he were, there’s no way he could be healthy for an entire season.”

Richardson’s day wasn’t much better. He completed just 10 of 32 passes, and although he connected with Josh Downs on a 69-yard touchdown, the former Florida star also had an interception and two fumbles.

The Colts briefly appeared victorious late in the fourth when defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo scooped up a Joe Mixon fumble and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown, but officials ruled it back at the Indianapolis 16-yard line.

The score would have given the Colts a 26-23 lead, but instead Richardson had a few more opportunities with the football, neither of which he took.

Richardson drove down the field without any timeouts on the final possession, wasting valuable time on a late scramble and a 14-yard pass to Trey Sermon over the middle of the field.

Richardson managed to score the ball with a second left to give the Colts one last shot from midfield, but fumbled the play to seal the 23–20 defeat.