The Indianapolis Colts cleared quarterback Anthony Richardson to return to practice Thursday, but veteran Philip Rivers will again be the starting quarterback in Monday night’s deciding game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The move means Richardson could come off injured reserve before the end of the campaign, although Colts head coach Shane Steichen indicated that decision would not be made this week.
The Colts brought Rivers, 44, out of retirement last week after starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon, ending his season, and his replacement, rookie Riley Leonard, injured his right knee in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite taking center fielding handoffs for the first time in five years last week against the Seahawks in Seattle, Rivers nearly led the Colts to victory. His club ultimately lost 18-16.
Richardson has been injured since mid-October, after fracturing his orbital bone in a freak accident while stretching with a resistance band in the team’s locker room before a game.
Steichen said Richardson was cleared to play because the bone had healed, although Richardson continues to have vision problems.
The Colts (8-6) have lost four straight games and five of their last six, slipping out of first place in the American South during this stretch and finding themselves in eighth place in their association, which could lead to their elimination.
The 49ers (10-4) are trying to overtake the Los Angeles Rams and the Seahawks in the West section of the National and obtain first place in their association.
