Colts Rookie QB Anthony Richardson to Start vs. Texans in Week 2?

Colts owner Jim Irsay expressed his desire to see rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson as a Day 1 starter, which could lead to the Houston Texans facing the Florida prospect sooner rather than later.

HOUSTON — The 2023 NFL Draft brought a trio of prominent young quarterbacks to the AFC South. The Houston Texans took C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick. The Indianapolis Colts took Anthony Richardson two spots later. And at the start of the second round (No. 33), the Tennessee Titans drafted Will Levis.

Each rookie quarterback may have to spend a month or two on the sidelines before taking the helm as the official starter for their respective franchises. But Colts' owner Jim Irsay said it could be best for Richardson to start Day 1 for Indianapolis, which he considers the best way to build a foundation for a successful career.

"For Anthony Richardson, it's going to be tough," Irsay said during his guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Monday.  "But he has to play to get better. I mean, there's no question."

"Gardner [Minshew] could come out and obviously play better early on just being a veteran, but we have to get Anthony on the field. That's Shane [Steichen's] call when he decides to do it."

If Indianapolis were to have Richardson as their Day 1 starter, the Texans would have to prepare for the first-year quarterback ahead of their Week 2 contest against the Colts at NRG Stadium. 

Richardson entered the draft as an intriguing prospect. He embodies the dual-threat quarterback of the modern day, throwing for 2,549 passing yards and 17 touchdowns for the Florida Gators last season. He also rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns.

Richardson met with the Texans at the NFL Scouting Combine in March and said the meeting with general manager Nick Caserio was "informative."

The Week 2 battle against the Colts could be the start of a divisional rivalry between the two rookie quarterbacks. And the results could demonstrate whether or not the Texans made the right decision selecting Stroud over Richardson.

Training camp is two weeks away for the Colts, and veteran Gardner Minshew is the projected starter come Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

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