Anthony Richardson’s Career Could Be at Crossroads After His One-Play Tap-Out

When asked why he willingly removed himself for a play in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts’ young quarterback admitted, ‘I was tired.’

Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Oct. 27 in Houston. Tim Warner/Getty Images

An odd scene unfolded during the Indianapolis Colts’ 23-20 defeat to the Houston Texans on Sunday late in the third quarter.

Indy was trailing by 10 points and had the ball on Houston’s 23-yard-line, so it was a critical juncture of the game. On a second down, quarterback Anthony Richardson scrambled around the field, just as he had done on the previous play, and was sacked to bring up third-and-long. However, Richardson then tapped his helmet and removed himself from the game in a moment that could be the defining moment of his career.