INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts are still in the playoff hunt, but there is a chance they’ll have to play Sunday’s must-win game against the New York Giants without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Richardson did not practice Thursday — as the Colts returned to the field after having Christmas Day off. The Colts quarterback is dealing with injuries to both his back and foot.

This was the second-straight day Richardson was listed as “DNP” on the team’s practice report. However, Wednesday’s designation was only an estimation as the Colts didn’t practice on the holiday.

ESPN is reporting that the Colts are optimistic Richardson will be available for Sunday’s game in the Meadowlands, but a lot of that decision will depend on how much — let alone if — Richardson will be able to practice Friday. Richardson’s never played a game in his young two-year career after being limited in any capacity during the week of practice.

Neither Richardson nor head coach Shane Steichen have spoken to media since Richardson’s injuries were first listed on the practice report. However, Richardson did comment on how his body’s been feeling as the Colts use him more and more as a runner.

“You’re going to feel those hits the next day,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, like in college I didn’t really get sore. But 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.”

Richardson ran for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Colts 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. He also was 7-of-11 and threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Richardson’s amassed 499 total rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns so far this season — both stats franchise records for quarterbacks.

If Richardson is unavailable Sunday, the Colts will have to lean on veteran backup Joe Flacco, who was taking starting reps during Thursday’s practice. Flacco’s played in six games this season. The Colts are 1-3 with Flacco as starter.

Indy needs a win against the Giants to keep playoff chances alive. If the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos both win during their respective matchups on Saturday, the Colts will be eliminated from the postseason. Otherwise, the Colts need to win these final two games against the Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars and get some help from a slew of other AFC teams. Full playoff scenarios have been detailed by the Colts’ JJ Stankevitz here.

Electronic act Death’s Dynamic Shroud will return to their home state of Ohio (and make a stop in Michigan) for a mini-trek in late February.

Announced today, the trek will find the trio performing in Cleveland, Columbus, Oberlin, Detroit, and Cincinnati. Tour dates can be seen below. Tickets are on sale to the general public right now here. The Oberlin and Cincinnati shows will be free to the public.

Earlier this year, Death’s Dynamic Shroud unveiled their collaboration album with Galen Tipton called You Like Music.

Death’s Dynamic Shroud tour dates

Jan-4: Menlo Park, CA (The Guild Theatre)

Feb-26: Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)

Feb-27: Columbus, OH (Ace of Cups)

Feb-28: Oberlin, OH (Dionysius Disco) (free)

Mar-1: Detroit, MI (Lager House)

Mar-2: Cincinnati, OH (MOTR) (free)

DIXON — The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved a new seven-year capital plan to support ongoing infrastructure projects and bridge the gap between the “Move Illinois” program and the agency’s next long-term capital plan, “Bridging the Future.”

The $2 billion “Bridging the Future” capital plan will help modernize the Illinois Tollway’s infrastructure to help support future projects while addressing maintenance issues along the five roadways on the Tollway system, including the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

‘Bridging the Future’ overview

• Connecting infrastructure – $258 million will be spent on interchange work, including the I-355/I-88 interchange, state Route 390 Tollway at County Farm Road and the I-88 at York Road/22nd Street interchanges. Improvements will also be made to the Lake Cook Road Bridge over I-94.
• Improving mobility – $725 million will be spent on bridge reconstruction and widening projects, including local crossroad and mainline bridges on I-294, railroad bridges on I-294 and I-88 and crossroad bridge reconstruction at the north end of I-94.
• Modernizing the system – $532 million will be spent on system upgrades and maintenance systemwide, including bridge repairs, pavement rehabilitation and funding for improvements to toll plazas and tollway facilities.
• Preparing for the future – $485 million will be allocated for technology investments in active traffic management, upgrades to back-office systems and support for pilot programs and studies.

“The Bridging the Future capital plan is a smart and balanced approach that ensures the completion of critical improvements as we continue the engagement necessary to advance our long-term capital planning process,” Board Chairman Arnie Rivera said. “The Illinois Tollway Board has a fiscal responsibility to prioritize strategic regional projects with system upkeep to leverage funds efficiently.”

No changes to the tollway’s current tolling structure or any further debt financing are expected to fund “Bridging the Future” outside of what is already planned for the “Move Illinois” program, according to a news release.

“Throughout the past year, we’ve been gathering stakeholder and community input as part of our long-term strategic and capital planning process, and one thing we’ve heard across the board is that customers, communities and contractors don’t want to see a pause in progress or wait for the next capital program to begin,” Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said. “The Bridging the Future plan will help keep our regional economic engine primed, delivering jobs and contract opportunities and also ensuring our planned infrastructure improvements remain on track.”

“Move Illinois,” the tollway’s current $15 billion capital program, is expected to finish by the end of 2027. The program has already accomplished several milestones, including the 2017 completion of state Route 390, the rebuilt Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its SmartRoad corridor and the 2022 interchange connecting I-294 to I-57.

Construction of the new I-490 Tollway, including reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), is on schedule for completion.

The Illinois Tollway is a user-funded system without federal or state funding for its maintenance and operations. It oversees 294 miles of roadways across 12 counties in Northern Illinois.

For more information, visit illinoistollway.com.