The Indianapolis Colts’ Sunday showdown against the Arizona Cardinals was supposed to be another opportunity to build on their red-hot start to the 2025 NFL season. Instead, the hours before kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium delivered a bizarre and brutal string of bad luck, as two key Colts—backup quarterback Anthony Richardson and Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward—suffered freak injuries during pregame warmups, leaving fans and analysts alike shaking their heads in disbelief.
Let’s set the stage: the Colts, riding high at 4-1 and led by a rejuvenated Daniel Jones at quarterback, were looking to keep their momentum rolling. Jones, a former first-round pick himself, has seized the starting role in Indianapolis and guided the team to one of the AFC’s best records through six weeks. But just before the whistle blew to start Week 6, everything changed.
First, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson—once the team’s prized No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft—was struck down by a freak accident in the locker room. According to multiple reports, Richardson was warming up using an elastic resistance band when the equipment failed, whipping back and striking him in the face. The result? A painful orbital fracture that required immediate hospitalization. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters after the game, “Colts QB Anthony Richardson suffered an orbital eye fracture during pregame warmups after an issue with an elastic band… He had to be taken to the hospital.”
The injury was nothing short of devastating for Richardson, whose NFL journey has already been riddled with setbacks. The 23-year-old has struggled to stay healthy since entering the league, suffering from back spasms, shoulder soreness, and even a dislocated finger in recent months. This latest blow comes after he lost the starting job to Jones, and with only two game appearances this season—completing one of two passes for nine yards—his future in Indianapolis is once again clouded by uncertainty. There’s currently no timetable for Richardson’s return, and the Colts have turned to rookie sixth-round pick Riley Leonard as Jones’ new primary backup. Leonard, who starred at Notre Dame and impressed in the preseason, is now just a snap away from seeing NFL action.
But Richardson wasn’t the only Colt to fall victim to misfortune before the game. In a nearly unprecedented twist, Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward was also declared out after suffering a concussion during warmups. The cause? Ward collided with tight end Drew Ogletree while Ogletree was catching passes from a staffer. Ward, taking his drop as part of his routine, never saw Ogletree coming. The impact was enough to sideline Ward for the entire contest, leaving an already depleted Colts secondary even thinner.
“Richardson hurts his eye, Ward is concussed. What in the world were the Colts doing in warmups today?” tweeted Alex Kozora, echoing the sentiments of a stunned fanbase. ESPN’s Jemele Hill replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this before.” Social media buzzed with disbelief, as fans joked about the team’s “freak” injury luck and wondered how two players could go down before the opening kickoff. One incredulous supporter quipped, “How did we get multiple players injured in warmups—were we throwing a kegger?”
Ward’s absence is particularly painful for a Colts defense already battered by injuries. The cornerback room has been decimated this season: rookie Justin Walley is out with a torn ACL, Jaylon Jones is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and slot corners Kenny Moore II (Achilles) and Mike Hilton (shoulder) are both unavailable. Ward, who signed with Indianapolis in free agency and has limited opposing quarterbacks to just 5.2 yards per attempt and 57.1% completions, has now suffered two concussions in a six-week span. He previously missed time after a concussion in the season opener against Miami. With so many veterans on the shelf, undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards and Cameron Mitchell were pressed into action, while reserve veteran Chris Lammons filled in at slot corner.
For Richardson, the cruel timing of this injury can’t be overstated. After being benched in favor of Jones, Richardson stayed ready and refrained from any public complaints, drawing praise from Coach Steichen. “He’s progressing well. I think with everything, the meetings and the fundamentals and the details on the practice field. (He will) continue to grow and develop in that area,” Steichen said last week. “He’s made great strides in those areas, and he’s continued to do that.” Now, his season is once again on hold, and the Colts’ quarterback depth chart is in flux.
Despite the adversity, the Colts managed to pull off a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Cardinals, improving their record to 5-1 and keeping pace atop the AFC standings. Daniel Jones continued his remarkable resurgence, and rookie Riley Leonard was ready on the sideline if needed. Yet, the victory was overshadowed by the pregame chaos and the growing list of injuries haunting the team.
Richardson’s injury, in particular, raises questions about his long-term prospects with the franchise. Once considered a dual-threat star with sky-high potential, his brief NFL tenure has been marked by inconsistency and a string of physical setbacks. Scouts have always admired his athleticism, but durability concerns are beginning to overshadow his upside. With no timeline for his return and Jones entrenched as the starter, Richardson’s future in Indianapolis hangs in the balance.
The Colts’ coaching staff and medical team now face the daunting task of managing a roster stretched thin by misfortune. The secondary, once a strength, is now a patchwork of young and untested players. The quarterback room, led by the resurgent Jones, must hope for better health and stability as the season grinds on.
As fans left Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, they celebrated a hard-fought win but couldn’t help but wonder: can the Colts withstand this relentless injury bug and keep their playoff hopes alive? Or will the cost of so many setbacks finally catch up to them? For now, Indianapolis is savoring victory, but the shadow of Sunday’s pregame calamity looms large over a team with championship aspirations.
