INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson did not practice this week.

The Indianapolis Colts said that does not automatically disqualify the 22-year-old quarterback from playing in Sunday’s game at the New York Giants.

“We’ll have those conversations here (over) the next 48 hours,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Friday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center before Richardson was officially listed as questionable on the injury report.

Details about the nature of the quarterback’s ailment are sparse.

Richardson’s listed with back and foot injuries, and Steichen suggested the back part of that equation is the bigger issue for now.

But there is very little info on how or when the injuries were incurred. It sounds like an accumulation of hits caused the issues rather than one specific play.

“He was just sore all week, really sore,” Steichen said. “So, we just — being smart there.”

Richardson has rushed for a franchise single-season record 499 yards by a quarterback, and his six rushing touchdowns also represent a single-season franchise record at the position.

But there is a toll for all that ground-and-pound play.

“From the start of the season, you’re going to feel those hits the next day,” Richardson said Tuesday. “It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, like in college I didn’t really get sore. But (in the) NFL, it’s a different breed, different game. You have some grown men out there playing football, so it’s always a little different getting tackled by those guys. But it’s all part of it. You just have to keep adjusting and just keep your body right so you can keep performing.”

If Richardson can’t play against the Giants (2-13), veteran Joe Flacco will make his fifth start of the season.

It would be the third game Richardson has missed because of injury this season and snap a career-high five-game starting streak.

He’s missed 15 games because of injury over two seasons since being drafted fourth overall out of Florida in 2023.

Durability is one of many questions still surrounding the quarterback hoped to be the future of the franchise.

Richardson has struggled in the passing game this season with a 47.7% completion rate and 12 interceptions in 11 starts. But he’s augmented his running ability with a league-leading 14.4-yard average per completion.

Flacco is not as likely to make the big play, but he’s far more consistent in the passing game with a 66.5% completion rate.

No matter which quarterback starts in New York, the running game figures to be a major focal point for the offense. The Giants rank 31st in run defense, and Colts star Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 325 combined yards over the last two weeks.

Indianapolis (7-8) can be eliminated from playoff contention if the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) and Denver Broncos (9-6) each win Saturday, but Steichen said the results of those contests won’t play any role in the decision at quarterback Sunday.

If Richarson is able to go, he’ll be the starter. If not, Flacco will seek his second win of the season.

“No matter what, we’re trying to go win a football game,” Steichen said, “no matter what happens on Saturday.”

INJURY REPORT

In addition to Richardson, tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe), cornerback JuJu Brents (knee), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (shoulder), left guard Quenton Nelson (ankle) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) were listed as questionable.

Alie-Cox, Brents, Carlies and Speed were all full participants in Friday’s practice. Brents must be activated off injured reserve prior to the game.

Nelson was limited Friday.

The Giants ruled out safety Raheem Lane (knee), linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle) and cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin).

Wide receiver Malik Nabors (toe), center Austin Schlottmann (fibula), defensive tackle Armon Watts (shoulder) and wide receiver Dee Williams (toe) were listed as questionable. Schlottmann and Watts were full participants Friday. Nabers and Williams were limited.