Colts Reveal Brutal News on QB Anthony Richardson ‘Freak’ Pregame Injury
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. suffered an orbital fracture (eye injury) during pregame warmups and was ruled inactive for his team’s 31-27 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Colts said Richardson was doing warmups with elastic bands when a mishap resulted in him being hit in the eye.
According to a source cited by Holder, the incident occurred in the locker room, where players use an apparatus to attach their warmup bands. The source said the device malfunctioned, causing the band to snap back and strike Richardson in the face. He was subsequently taken to a hospital.
Richardson has served as the primary backup to starter Daniel Jones, who earned the job after winning their preseason competition. Richardson has found success this season, helping lead the Colts to a 5-1 record.
This season, Richardson has appeared in two games, both during the fourth quarter of decisive outcomes. Since being selected fourth overall by the Colts in the 2023 draft, he has played in 17 games.
Colts Had Two Pregame Injuries
Also injured in pregame warmups was cornerback Charvarius Ward, who sustained a concussion. He also sustained a concussion in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.
After Sunday’s game, Colts head coach Shane Steichen discussed losing two players before the game even started.
“It was very interesting to say the least,” he said. “We kind of had to rally the troops there in the locker room and get us back into focus. I thought our guys did that the right way. I obviously hope (Richardson) is good and (Ward) is good.”
Jones discussed the injuries postgame as well.
“I was out on the field when I heard about (Richardson). Obviously thinking about him and hoping he recovers well. Kind of a freak situation there. Obviously your concerned for your teammates, (Ward) as well. Hoping they are alright. But understand there is a job to do and you gotta go out and play be ready to go.”
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 12: Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Jones, Taylor Led Colts to Victory
The Colts were led by Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor on Sunday. Jones threw two touchdown passes, and Taylor added a 1-yard rushing score with 4:32 remaining to give the team the lead late.
“We had to make sure we fought through and played together till the end,” Taylor said. “I think it just showed the way we continued fighting, scratching, clawing and then down at the end we had to be dominant on the line of scrimmage.”
Jones completed 22 of 30 passes for 212 yards with one interception and also added a rushing touchdown. Taylor carried the ball 21 times for 123 yards, marking his 27th career 100-yard game, while rookie tight end Tyler Warren hauled in six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.
“We knew it was going to be a back-and-forth game,” Steichen said. “And it was great to see the offense there at the end, go down and get that touchdown to go up 31-27.”
J.J. McCarthy’s Status as Starter Confirmed After Injury, Despite Carson Wentz’s Strong Play
One of the biggest stories in the NFL is what the Minnesota Vikings will do at the quarterback position.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell went into the season with J.J. McCarthy as his unquestioned starter, despite never having played a single game in the regular season. They made efforts to try and find a quality backup, even offering Daniel Jones substantial money to stay in Minnesota, but he chose correctly, as he's now the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Vikings ended up settling on a quarterback room of McCarthy, Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and Max Brosmer, but made a major pivot by trading Howell after the final preseason game and signing Carson Wentz to be the backup.
J.J. McCarthy Injury Timeline
- J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2
- Kevin O'Connell told the media about the injury the next day, saying he could miss some time
- Carson Wentz went 2-1 as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, raising questions whether or not he would remain the starter
Tom Pelissero confirms J.J. McCarthy is the starting quarterback
NFL insider Tom Pelissero was on NFL Game Day talking about the Vikings quarterback situation, and he was clear that McCarthy is the starting quarterback.
"The Vikings quarterback situation is murky, to say the least. J.J. McCarthy, I'm told, got good work during the bye week. He should be able to return to practice this week, but McCarthy is still not 100%
on that ankle," said Pelissero. "They've got to see his mobility. They got to see how the ankle responds, and they got to make sure he is comfortable and in a groove from an operational perspective, before they put him back out on the field.
"Meanwhile, his backup, Carson Wentz is dealing with a left shoulder injury, and he could be limited in practice this week, a lot to sort through to figure out who's going to be out there on the field next week against the Eagles."
We've been in a situation over the last three weeks where there have been rumors about whether or not the Vikings had "quietly benched" the first-year starter. After the 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, O'Connell was asked about whether or not McCarthy would be the starter once he's healthy, and his words confirmed that he would be without actually saying it.
"I think first and foremost, he's got to get healthy," said O'Connell on September 22nd. "And then, throughout that process, I don't think it's one of those things where it's, ‘Hey, the day he's healthy.’ And if he's healthy the night before a game, we're going to just throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing. I think we saw as phenomenal as he was getting prepared for the Atlanta game, he did miss practice that week. And when you're in the phase of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can't cut corners on that. And that also doesn't require an answer on that question today."
McCarthy was always going to be the guy once he was healthy, and it's been the case the entire time. We can put this to rest now.
