Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) runs against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS – Grover Stewart’s laugh is unmistakable.

And the Indianapolis Colts’ big man had plenty of reason to unleash it Sunday after the defense closed out an ugly 16-10 win against the Miami Dolphins with a host of franchise icons in the house for former tight end Dallas Clark’s halftime Ring of Honor induction ceremony.

“It feels great, man, to show them that we’re gonna put on for them like how they put on earlier,” Stewart said, “but just to let them come home and enjoy this victory and have fun.”

A depleted defense pitched a shutout in the second half, allowing a struggling offense time to make just enough plays to escape with the victory.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson struggled in his return from an oblique injury that cost him two weeks. He completed just 10 of 24 pass attempts for 129 yards and lost a fumble deep in Miami territory during the opening quarter.

But Richardson also led a makeshift Indianapolis rushing attack with 56 yards on 14 carries and completed five of his final six attempts, including going 4-for-5 in the fourth quarter with the game on the line.

“It feels good when my team has trust in me, just to go out there and make plays and just do what I do,” Richardson said. “They told me on the sidelines just keep doing what I’m doing. Despite us struggling a little bit in the first half and a little bit in the second, they still trusted me.

“(Head coach) Shane (Steichen) trusted me with the play calls and just to make some plays. So it feels good just having the trust and support from the guys and just allows me to go out and play free.”

Trust was necessary early as the offense was held scoreless until the final seconds of the first half.

Indianapolis (4-3) went three-and-out on its first two drives but drove to the Dolphins’ 7-yard line with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.

After running back Tyler Goodson was stuffed for a 1-yard loss on first down, Richardson fumbled the second-down snap for his seventh turnover of the season.

That was the only time the Colts penetrated Miami territory on their first five drives.

But the Dolphins (2-4) hardly took advantage.

Tyler Huntley threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith on third-and-goal in the first quarter, and Jason Sanders tacked on a 33-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 22 seconds remaining in the first half.

Richardson answered with a 33-yard completion to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and Goodson’s 3-yard run set up a 52-yard Matt Gay field goal as time expired.

But the offense couldn’t carry the momentum into the third quarter.

When the second half began with a three-and-out following a defensive stop, the boo birds let their voices be heard inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Then reserve linebacker Segun Olubi made a play that changed the game.

He stripped Miami running back Raheem Mostert after a 7-yard gain, recovered the fumble and returned it 18 yards to the Dolphins’ 28-yard line.

“Any time you can do anything to energize the guys, get everything going in a positive direction, that’s what I try to do,” Olubi said.

The Colts committed to the ground attack on the ensuing possession, with Richardson keeping the ball for 12 yards on first down and wide receiver Ashton Dulin sweeping around the end for 12 more.

A false start pushed Indianapolis back to the 9-yard line, but two carries by Goodson got the offense into the end zone for the first time and tied the score.

“We didn’t get a rhythm … I didn’t do a good enough job for these guys today,” Steichen said of the offensive struggles. “It was on me. I didn’t do a good enough job offensively. I got to do better for these guys going forward.”

Miami was not any more successful.

Huntley left the game with a shoulder injury after going 7-of-13 for 87 yards and the touchdown pass, and the Dolphins couldn’t find any traction in the second half.

Miami rushed for 188 yards on 40 attempts, but its second-half drives resulted in three punts, two fumbles, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs with seven seconds to play.

Meanwhile, the Colts managed to put together two fourth-quarter scoring drives to steal the victory.

A 12-play, 69-yard march ended with a 22-yard field goal for Gay with 8:41 remaining, and Indianapolis went 36 yards in nine plays – milking 3:23 off the clock – for a 38-yard field goal and a 16-10 lead after the Dolphins’ miss.

“We got to be better. I got to be better,” Steichen said. “But we fought. That’s what matters. So there’s room to grow. That’s a good sign is that we haven’t played our best ball yet. We haven’t put the whole complete package together. But … in October, we’ve got to start hitting our stride.”

Indianapolis ground out 155 rushing yards on 27 attempts, with Goodson complementing Richardson with 51 yards on 14 carries and Trey Sermon adding 36 yards on eight attempts.

Pittman was the leading receiver with three catches for 63 yards.

But the defense won the day.

Reserve linebacker Grant Stuard led the way with 18 tackles, and Zaire Franklin added 16.

Meanwhile, Huntley and replacement Tim Boyle combined to throw for just 161 yards and were sacked twice.

It was far from aesthetically pleasing, but the win – coupled with the Houston Texans’ 24-22 loss on the road against the Green Bay Packers – gives the Colts a chance to tie for the AFC South lead with a win next week at Houston.

“That’s just showing everybody’s bought in like we’re gonna win,” Stewart said. “So we’re trying to do down there and keep going, try to play our best game.”