Pat McAfee slams Anthony Richardson for ‘tapping out’ in Colts vs Texans
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson wasn’t injured when he removed 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 on a first-half scramble before tapping the top of his own helmet as if to request 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 issue.
But upon learning the second-year signal caller wasn’t hurt, only tired, many took the opportunity to express their frustration with Richardson.
Chief among the critics was a former Colts player: retired punter Pat McAfee.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson wasn’t injured when he removed himself from Sunday’s game
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee (pictured) took issue with Anthony Richardson ‘tapping out’
Chief among Richardson’s critics was a former Colts player: retired punter Pat McAfee
‘I had never seen an NFL QB tap out while still being healthy until watching 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 concurred.
‘I’m done with this experiment,’ wrote one. ‘He’s not the answer Pat. Even if he was, there is no way he could be healthy a full season.’
Richardson’s day wasn’t much better otherwise. He completed only 10 of 32 passes, and while he did connect with Josh Downs on a 69-yard touchdown, the former Florida star also had an interception and two fumbles as well.
The Colts briefly looked victorious late in the fourth when defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo scooped up a Joe Mixon fumble and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown, only to have officials rule him down 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 chances with the football, neither of which he capitalized upon.
Driving downfield without any timeouts on the final possession, Richardson wasted costly time on a late scramble and a 14-yard pass to Trey Sermon over the middle of the field.
Richardson managed to spike the ball with one second left to give the Colts one last shot from midfield, but fumbled on the play to seal the 23-20 loss.