The Colts faced unexpected adversity before their Week 6 win over the Cardinals as both quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Charvarius Ward were injured during pregame warmups.
Richardson, who lost the starting job to ex-Giants quarterback Daniel Jones before the season, suffered an orbital fracture when a resistance band used during warmups snapped into his eye.
The Colts quickly transported him to a local hospital, and he was ruled out for their game against the Cardinals — with head coach Shane Steichen telling reporters postgame that Richardson will miss some time.
Rookie Riley Leonard was elevated to No. 2 quarterback behind Jones, who has led the Colts to a surprising 5-1 record through the first six games.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward sustained a concussion during warmups following a collision with backup tight end Drew Ogletree.
This marked Ward’s second concussion of the season, after he previously missed a Week 2 win over the Broncos.
“We had to rally the troops to get us back into focus,” Steichen told reporters postgame, according to ESPN.
The Colts (5-1) now sit alone atop the AFC South as the Jaguars (4-2) lost, 20-12, to the Seahawks on Sunday.
Jones went 22-for-30 with 212 yards, two touchdown passes, a rushing score and an interception on Sunday.
Through six games, Jones has completed 129 of 180 passes for 1,502 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions and four rushing TDs while stabilizing the offense after Richardson’s short-lived tenure as Indianapolis’ starter.
Richardson, selected No. 4 overall in 2023, made 15 starts across the 2023 and ’24 campaigns.
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In his career, he has completed 177 of 350 passes for 2,400 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Noted for his mobility, he has also rushed 115 times for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Ward, who has nine tackles this season, is two years removed from his lone Pro Bowl honor — which occurred while he was with the San Francisco 49ers.
Ward, who was also a second-team All Pro that season, recorded five of his career 10 interceptions in 2023.
Previously, the 29-year-old was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV squad in 2020.