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Indianapolis Colts Insider: 9 things to watch in Anthony Richardson's return against Rams
Joel A. Erickson
Indianapolis Star


INDIANAPOLIS — A Colts team that spent the past two weeks on the road surprising everybody gets to return to Lucas Oil Stadium this week with its starting quarterback in the lineup.

Rookie Anthony Richardson is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol, ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game televised by WXIN-59 (FOX).

Indianapolis (2-1) gets the Rams (1-2) to start a streak of four home games in the month of October, a stretch that suddenly looks much more intriguing after the way the Colts have started the season, although injuries are piling up in the wrong spot.


Who is hurt on the Colts' offensive line?

1. Richardson returns to the lineup behind a banged-up Colts offensive line that suddenly looks shaky after a strong start to the season. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who has been a revelation in his second NFL season, was placed in the concussion protocol during the week, and veteran center Ryan Kelly is expected to miss his second consecutive game due to a concussion. In addition, right tackle Braden Smith (wrist) and left guard Quenton Nelson (toe) are both battling injuries. The good news for the Colts? Richardson is much more elusive than Gardner Minshew, who was sacked five times against Baltimore, and the Rams defense has just five sacks through the first three games.


2. The bad news for the Colts is that the best two pass rushers on the other side will likely be working against reserves. The Los Angeles defense is still led by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, and the Rams will likely try to get him matched up against Wesley French, who played well in his first NFL start last week but hasn’t faced a player like Donald. The team’s plans at left tackle remain murky — Indianapolis could use either fourth-round rookie Blake Freeland or swingman Arlington Hambright — but whoever mans that position will likely be matched up against emerging Los Angeles pass rusher Byron Young, who has two sacks and is tied for fourth in the NFL with seven quarterback hits.

3. The young Rams defense hasn’t made many big plays so far; Los Angeles has forced just one turnover in addition to its five sacks this season, numbers that rank in the bottom eight of both categories. On the other hand, Los Angeles hasn’t given up a whole lot of yards. The Rams rank eighth in the NFL in yards allowed (284.7 per game), 13th in rushing yards allowed (103.7) and seventh in passing yards allowed (181.0). If the Los Angeles defense has a weakness, it’s a rush defense that has given up 4.51 yards per carry (24th in the NFL), including a big day to Christian McCaffrey, and hasn’t faced a running quarterback yet. Indianapolis may be able to churn out yards with its one-two punch of Richardson and Zack Moss.


Can Anthony Richardson stay healthy?

4. When Richardson’s on the move, he has to do a better job of identifying threats and avoiding the big hit. The rookie has taken two big hits in his two NFL starts, both of the hits knocking him from the game, but the Colts can’t take the lethal threat of Richardson’s legs away after his two electric touchdowns against the Texans two weeks ago. Richardson simply has to be better aware of the contact that’s coming.


5. An Indianapolis passing game that is averaging a paltry 5.8 yards per attempt — Richardson is averaging 5.9, Minshew 5.8 — might not have a lot of chances for explosive plays against the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed just five passing plays of 20 yards or more this season, and the Colts have produced seven (22nd in the league). Even if Indianapolis wants to get deep threat Alec Pierce more involved, it might be tough against the zone coverages the Rams prefer to use.

6. If the Rams continue to play back, the volume might continue for Michael Pittman Jr., who is the only receiver in the NFL with at least eight catches in every game so far, and slot receiver Josh Downs. Pittman has 25 catches for 230 yards this season, and Downs is second with 15 catches for 124 yards. Pittman, in particular, could have a big day after Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had 12 catches against the Rams on Monday night.


The Colts could face their fourth backup left tackle in four games

7. Indianapolis defensive end Samson Ebukam could be facing his fourth consecutive backup at the left tackle position. Los Angeles left tackle Alaric Jackson is expected to be a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury, six days after Cincinnati edge rusher Trey Hendrickson picked up two big sacks against backup Rams tackle Joseph Noteboom. Ebukam has two sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble forced this season, and he’ll be a key for the Colts defense.


8. The Indianapolis pass rush has been devastating so far, piling up 12 sacks through three games, tied for the second-best mark in the NFL despite facing a pair of quick-throwing offenses in Jacksonville and Baltimore. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is averaging 2.68 seconds from time to throw this season, and it’s likely the Colts will try to make Stafford hold the ball long enough for DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye and the rest of the Indianapolis pass rush to get home.

9. Rams rookie Puka Nacua (30 catches, 338 yards) and third-year receiver Tutu Atwell (17 catches, 246 yards) have been highly productive in Cooper Kupp’s absence to start the season, and they have a favorable matchup against Colts cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Dallis Flowers, who are still young. Indianapolis has given up 6.8 yards per dropback so far this season, a number that ranks 22nd in the NFL, and the Rams passing game has been a top-10 attack both in terms of yards (284 per game, 4th in the league) and yards per dropback (6.76, 9th).