Colts’ Anthony Richardson is out of protocol to start versus the Rams

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday and will start Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, coach Shane Steichen said.

Richardson suffered a concussion in the first half of a Week 2 win over the Houston Texans after hitting his head on the turf when scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game. He missed the Colts’ Week 3 win over the Baltimore Ravens but returned to practice on Wednesday and has been a full participant in each of the past three practices.

Richardson featured frequently during his short time in the lineup, which was limited to the first six quarters of the season. He became the first Colts rookie quarterback to rush for a touchdown in each of his first two games and is the third quarterback in NFL history to score three or more rushing touchdowns in his first two games.

“Last week was a little rough for me,” Richardson said of missing the Baltimore game. “I love football and I wasn’t able to go out with the team, so it was eating me up inside. But I’m excited to be back.”

Richardson’s physical style of play became a topic of discussion after he left the Colts’ Week 1 game against the Jaguars in the final minutes with a knee injury. Against Houston, he suffered a concussion while running the football and failed to anticipate a hit coming from a safety.

“The injuries she has sustained so far are not serious,” Richardson said. “I hit my knee on the turf. Everyone gets hurt on the turf. Then I hit my head on the ground. I don’t think I have to change the way I play. I think I play smart enough to know when to go down.” “.

Richardson himself reported suffering a concussion after initially returning to the Houston game, saying he felt some headaches but eventually asked coaches to check him out.

“I didn’t want to hurt the team and keep playing,” he said.

Richardson’s task, Sunday against the Rams, may be tougher than he initially thought. Center Ryan Kelly, who also suffered a concussion in Week 2, did not clear the concussion protocol after practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and his status remains in limbo. Left tackle Bernhard Reimann showed concussion symptoms late this week, which is also a question mark for Sunday, Steichen said. Right tackle Braden Smith suffered a hand injury that kept him out of practice on Friday.