INDIANAPOLIS – An internal transformation occurred Thursday, perhaps even on Christmas Day.
Instead of focusing his energy on being Anthony Richardson’s backup as the Indianapolis Colts turned their attention to Sunday’s meeting with the New York Giants, Joe Flacco went into a more familiar role.
Starter.
Richardson did not practice Thursday or Friday, primarily because of a back injury, and coach Shane Steichen said Friday the team will use “the next 48 hours’’ to determine his availability for the Giants.
Until informed otherwise, Flacco is preparing for his fifth start this season and 210th of his 17-year career, including the playoffs.
That was the case once it was determined earlier this week that injuries – back and foot issues – might sideline Richardson for the fourth time in his two-year career. He missed two games in October with an oblique injury and another two when Steichen benched him for not approaching his starter’s role with the necessary commitment.
Both instances represented opportunities for Flacco to step in and be who he’s been the vast majority of his career. Including the postseason, he’s 115-94 as a starter with a world championship with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 season.
He’s come off the bench just six times, including in week 4 against Pittsburgh when Richardson suffered an oblique injury.
“We’re just going to see how these next couple of days play out,’’ Flacco said Friday. “For me, at least you’re able to go out there and get some practice reps.’’
The backup handles the scout team while the starter takes all of the reps with the No. 1 unit. Flacco handled the No. 1 reps Thursday and Friday, and that matters immensely.
“That makes you feel a little bit more comfortable going into a game,’’ he said.
So has approaching the week as the presumptive starter.
“You have to tell yourself that,’’ Flacco said. “Not that anything changes preparation-wise, but you start letting that feeling sink into your body and all those different things that come along with playing the game.
“You definitely tell yourself that.’’
Flacco’s first season with the Colts – he signed a one-year contract in March worth a maximum of $8.7 million – has been a mixed bag.
He completed the 27-24 win over the Steelers by passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns, then passed for 359 yards and three TDs in a 37-34 loss at Jacksonville in week 5. In his second start this season at Tennessee, Flacco passed for 189 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. His 10-yard TD pass to Michael Pittman Jr. with 7:27 remaining was the difference in the 20-17 victory.
Flacco’s last two starts, though, haven’t been as efficient. They’ve come against two of the NFL’s best teams: 13-2 Minnesota and 12-3 Buffalo.
He completed 16-of-27 passes for 179 yards and one interception in the 21-13 loss at the Vikings. The offense failed to score a touchdown and finished with season lows in total yards (227) and rushing yards (68).
The next week in a 30-20 loss to the Bills, Flacco passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but suffered four turnovers – three interceptions and a lost fumble. His first pass of the game was returned for a touchdown.
“You can’t take for granted playing football games in this league,’’ said Flacco, 39. “So, anytime you get the opportunity to, you have to put yourself back in your shoes when you were 20 years old or being a college player wishing to play this game. ‘Man, am I ever going to get a chance to play out my dream?’
“You’ve got to remind yourself, ‘Man, I’m getting a chance to play out my dream’ every time you’re put in this position. You don’t want to make it out to be any bigger than it is, but you need to remember this is a pretty cool job to do and just go out there and have fun.’’
Pierce ready
Alec Pierce has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will be available to play against the Giants. The veteran wideout suffered head trauma at Denver and missed last week’s win over Tennessee.
Questionable for Sunday: Richardson, guard Quenton Nelson (ankle), tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe), cornerback JuJu Brents (knee), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (shoulder) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee).
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
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