Indystar 9/30

[JAFF]

Anthony Richardson details the play that caused a brain injury against the Texans
Nate Atkins
Indianapolis Star


INDIANAPOLIS - Anthony Richardson is officially back.

The Colts rookie quarterback has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will start Sunday's game against the Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Richardson was able to get a full week of practices in after missing all of last week with a brain injury that occurred in his second career start against the Texans.

The injury happened on a 15-yard touchdown run on a unique play design by Shane Steichen, where Richardson faked a handoff in motion to Josh Downs as the Colts offensive line flowed left and Richardson went around the right edge and ran into the end zone.

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson missed Sunday's 22-19 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens with a brain injury.
"(Kylen) Granson got the block and kicked out for me, and I just thought it was an easy walk-in touchdown. I was just trying to trot in there," Richardson said. "The guy closed in fast and I tried to brace for it, but the way I turned my body, I flopped back on the ground."




On the sideline between possessions, Richardson went to the Colts medical staff and told them he might have a headache. The staff told him if they were to do a brain injury test, they would need to do it right then, so Richardson instead tried to shake it off and went back into the game for two more drives, both of which ended in three-and-outs.

"I noticed I wasn't feeling the way I should," Richardson said. "I asked them to take me to the tent to check and see. I didn't want to hurt the team."




Richardson was then ruled out for the game with a brain injury, and that's when Gardner Minshew checked in and finished out a 31-20 victory over the Texans. The next week, Richardson was able to be around the team at practices and on the flight to Baltimore and in the lockerroom, an indication that his symptoms were no longer severe. But he wasn't cleared for practices, so Minshew started again and the Colts beat the Ravens 22-19 in overtime.

Now, Richardson comes back to a 2-1 Colts team that's in sole possession of first place in the AFC South.