Injuries are part and parcel of playing in the NFL. Players know the risk that comes with getting on the gridiron. But have you ever witnessed players leaving before they get injured? Well, if not, then Colts QB Anthony Richardson gave you something new to experience in week 8’s clash in Houston.

With the Colts looking for a third-and-goal in the second quarter, Richardson tapped out by signalling to the sidelines. And this got the whole NFL in a frenzy as legendary head coach Bill Belichick drew comparisons with Tom Brady, “Tom Brady isn’t fast but he worked. Conditioning was never an issue, and as a Quarterback and a leader, you should be in really good condition.”

However, in the case of Richardson, it didn’t seem like the Colts QB was in great shape. As Joe Flacco was given the keys while the 22-year-old took a breather on the sidelines. And getting the sudden opportunity on Sunday, Flacco found RB Jonathan Taylor for 5 yards. This helped the Colts set up for a 37-yard field goal that Matt Gay converted to keep them in the game.

Although the whole incident was bizarre, Richardson’s antics in Houston didn’t bode well on his resume. Going back to the first week, the Colts QB led the NFL charts with a 7.4% explosive play. Even Richardson himself spoke about being ‘physically gifted’ at the start of this season, “I know I’m physically gifted. Everybody knows that. But playing football, especially as a quarterback, is way deeper than just being physical and being fast.”

But looking back on Sunday, where was Richardson’s physicality? As the Colts QB got bashed by the whole of the NFL for taking a short break in the dugout.

Anthony Richardson faces the heat after tapping out on Sunday

After dropping down to his knees and breathing heavily. It looked like Anthony was facing some serious issues. But within the next drive, the Colts QB was back on the field, helping his team stay in the game. However, it wasn’t enough, as the Colts lost their 4th in Houston. Well, their loss wasn’t that surprising, considering what their QB did in the game. And giving his insight, the 22-year-old conveyed, “I was tired. I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go do that next play. So I just told Shane I just needed a break right there.”

Even the Colts’ coach resonated with his feeling, “He needed a breather. He ran three times in a row, and it was third and long, so we were going to hand the football off.” But Richardson’s little breather didn’t go down well in the NFL. As former Colts punter Pat McAfee ripped into his antics, saying, “I had never seen an NFL QB tap out while still being healthy until watching Anthony Richardson. The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is loud and influential.”

And McAfee wasn’t the only one as former NFL LB Emmanuel Acho chimed in with his views, “I swear that I have never heard anything like this in my life. Anthony Richardson, you really said you got tired, and you took yourself out the game.” Well, Acho didn’t stop there as he asked Richardson to lie instead of giving such reasons, “Anthony Richardson, just lie next time, just lie next time. If this is the truth, just tell a lie, bro.”

While his honesty and Sunday’s bizarre incident didn’t impress anyone out there. Will Anthony Richardson get over the bashing he faced online? Guess we will find out as the Colts prepare to visit Minnesota next week to take on the Vikings on Sunday night.