The Indianapolis Colts are benching Anthony Richardson to start Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday at Minnesota, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not announced the change.

Coach Shane Steichen said Monday he was “evaluating” whether Richardson would remain the starter — the first hint that a move might be coming for the 4-4 Colts.

Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was 10 of 32 passing and got sacked five times in a 23-20 loss to Houston over the weekend. He also drew outside criticism for taking himself out of the game for a play because he said he was tired.

Flacco came in relief earlier this season and started the next two games when Richardson was out with a right hip injury. The 39-year-old completed 71 of 108 passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, and Indianapolis went 2-1.

The Colts are 2-3 in games Richardson has started and finished. The University of Florida product is 59 of 133 for 958 yards, four TDs and seven INTs.

Richardson joins Carolina’s Bryce Young as QBs drafted in the top five last year who were benched for performance-related reasons. Young started for the Panthers in their most recent game after journeyman Andy Dalton was involved in a car crash, and the 2023 top pick threw for 224 yards in a 28-24 loss to Denver.

Davis with Packers

Linebacker Jamin Davis has joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad a week after the 2021 first-round draft pick was released by the Washington Commanders.

The Packers announced Tuesday they had added Davis to their practice squad and had released linebacker Chris Russell from their practice squad.

Washington selected Davis out of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He made 36 starts for the Commanders from 2021-23 but saw his playing time dip this season as Washington introduced a new regime with general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.

Rodgers gets hot tip

A little cayenne pepper might have put some pep back in Aaron Rodgers’ step.

The New York Jets quarterback is preparing for a quick turnaround with the team’s next game Thursday night at home against the Houston Texans. The 40-year-old Rodgers has been banged up during the Jets’ miserable 2-6 start, dealing with a sprained ankle, a sore knee and hamstring tightness.

But maybe thanks partly to a simple but spicy concoction suggested by 38-year-old punter Thomas Morstead, Rodgers feels ready to try to help the Jets snap their five-game skid.

“T-Mo gave me a little fountain of youth he said he’s been taking for a while,” a smiling Rodgers said Tuesday. “All legal, of course. … He’s been taking like cayenne pepper and water, so he gave me some before the game.

“Felt pretty good, but I’ve been kind of gassing him up that that’s why I’m feeling so good. I’m not sure how much that’s playing a factor.”

Diggs out for season

Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee Sunday.

Coach DeMeco Ryans made the announcement Tuesday, calling Diggs being out a huge loss.

“It hurts our team to hear that news,” Ryans said. “He’s been such an important part to our team and just everything that he brought, not only on the field, but off the field. The energy, the leader, the way he worked every single day. He brought a lot to our team and we have to pick up the slack — a lot of guys have to pick up the slack.”

Diggs suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of Houston’s win over the Colts on Sunday. He was running a route and pulled up and grabbed at his right knee before falling to the ground.

The 30-year-old Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games in his first season in Houston after a blockbuster trade from the Bills.

Ravens add WR

The Baltimore Ravens have added another offensive playmaker for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 on Tuesday from the Carolina Panthers for a 2025 fifth-rounder. The Panthers announced the terms of the trade late Tuesday.

Johnson had been Carolina’s leading wide receiver since being acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson. Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina, but did not play in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos because of a rib injury.

Johnson was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Briefly

49ers >> The 1-year-old daughter of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward has died after battling heart problems since her birth.