INDIANAPOLIS — If Shane Steichen has any plans to use Anthony Richardson in a short-yardage or red zone role, the Colts coach isn’t going to tip his hand.

From the sounds of it, the Colts prefer to give Richardson time to adjust to the backup role.

But Steichen stopped short of ruling out a short-yardage or red-zone package for Richardson, whose combination of speed and power has produced 10 rushing touchdowns in 15 games as the starting quarterback.

“We’ll see,” Steichen said. “I want to make sure he crushes his new role, takes it in stride and does a hell of a job there.”

Ever since Steichen made the decision to start Jones, the Colts have emphasized the need for Richardson to grow behind the scenes, learning while being on the bench.

“There’s two ways you can handle this: Like, you can go in the dumps, or you can accept the challenge and accept the challenge to keep getting better,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Wednesday. “Be prepared. Continue to work on your fundamentals. Continue to work on the daily game planning that has to happen as a quarterback, to collaborate with the other quarterbacks in your game planning, and then being ready to go because you’re one snap away.”

Indianapolis did not use Richardson in a short-yardage role when Joe Flacco held the starting role for two games following Steichen’s decision to bench Richardson last fall.

Jones has been a productive runner in his own right in the NFL.

The former Giants starter has run for more than 2,000 yards in six NFL seasons, and his career average of 5.5 yards per carry is not far behind Richardson’s 5.7.

But Richardson’s power is something Jones cannot replicate, and it has often been key around the goal line in the past two seasons. Richardson has converted 5-of-6 and-1 situations in his career on the ground; Jones is 45-of-55 in those situations.

“Every year is different,” Steichen said. “I want him to crush his new role, be a pro every day, come into the building, work, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.