Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward. Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Colts suffer pair of bizarre injuries during pregame warmups

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 2:55 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts have grown accustomed to fast starts through six weeks of the NFL season. What they haven't wanted to start fast, though, is injuries.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward was concussed in pregame warmups and ruled out of the Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Ward was working on some routine drills when a fellow player blindsided him.

The collision was rough enough that Ward didn't get up from the field for a moment. The broadcast showed that while Ward was practicing his coverage and running a route, another Colts player ran on the field just as Ward turned at high speed. The two players, who were looking in opposite directions, ran into each other, and Ward didn't get up for a moment.

It's a significant blow for the Colts and their defense. Ward has been a key piece of the team's turnaround as the 29-year-old has elevated his play this season. While his stats haven't been eye-popping, with no interceptions and just nine solo tackles, he's been great in coverage.

Colts CB Charvarius Ward suffered a concussion during pregame warmups today and is inactive vs. the Cardinals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2025

Per Pro Football Focus, Ward's grade through six weeks is 83.4%, the third-best grade of all cornerbacks in the league. Further, Ward has three passes broken up on the season, the 11th most PBU among cornerbacks.

Ward's presence will be missed for however long he's out, but he wasn't the only pregame casualty for the Colts. Former quarterback No. 1 Anthony Richardson also suffered an eye injury in pregame warmups, ruling him out of the game. According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, Richardson was doing band work to warm up when the band, presumably, snapped back into his eye.

Anthony Richardson suffered an eye injury doing pregame band work. That's why he's the No. 3 today. https://t.co/adVNbKB5dj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 12, 2025

Richardson is now the backup quarterback with Daniel Jones having the best season of his career thus far. So, it was easy enough for the Colts to move Richardson to the emergency quarterback No. 3 role, meaning he's effectively not on the gameday roster.

The 4-1 Colts have been the surprise of the season, but it was plenty surprising to see multiple pregame injuries for a team. The Colts will have to hope there's no other surprises as they look to keep rolling.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

More must-reads: