Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Colts Place Anthony Richardson Sr. on Injury Reserve After Bizarre Pre‑Game Accident Leaves Him Out For Four Weeks

Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts improved to 5-1 with a 31-27 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but the victory was overshadowed by a major setback. Hours before kickoff, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. was ruled out after suffering an unusual injury during pregame warmups.

With Richardson unavailable, rookie Riley Leonard stepped into the backup role behind starter Daniel Jones. Leonard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, said he felt for his teammate but was ready for the challenge. “That’s certainly not the way that I would have drawn it up in any circumstance,” Leonard said. “But here we are, one play away, and I’m just gonna prepare like I’ve been doing.”

Riley Leonard is now the #Colts backup QB after Richardson’s injury. He says he’s learned a lot from Daniel Jones – especially with how to mentally handle things. @WISHNews8 | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/JH1ZkY6QG9
— Angela Moryan (@AngelaMoryanTV) October 12, 2025

What Happened to Anthony Richardson Sr.?

On Monday, the Colts placed Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve with an orbital fracture. The injury occurred in the locker room when a stretching band he was using snapped loose after the apparatus it was attached to broke. The band recoiled and struck him in the face, fracturing his orbital bone.

Anthony Richardson Sr. was taken to the hospital before the game and discharged later that day. His face remains swollen, but he avoided damage to his eye. By league rules, he must miss at least four games, with the earliest possible return in Week 12 at Kansas City. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Richardson “will definitely miss some time,” though no specific recovery timeline has been set.

This is the latest in a string of injuries for Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He has already missed 17 games in his career due to an AC joint sprain, concussion, oblique injury, and back spasms. He was also shut down during OTAs in May with shoulder soreness, and dislocated his right pinkie finger in the preseason opener.

Colts Evaluate Roster Moves as Rookie Leonard Becomes Immediate Backup

The Colts must now decide whether to stick with Riley Leonard as the backup or bring in a more experienced option. Steichen said general manager Chris Ballard and the front office are weighing their choices. “We’ll work through it here in the next 24 hours,” Shane Steichen said.

The team also dealt with another setback Sunday when cornerback Charvarius Ward suffered a concussion after colliding with tight end Drew Ogletree during warmups. It was Ward’s second concussion of the season.

In a separate move Monday, the Colts claimed safety Reuben Lowery off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. Lowery, an undrafted rookie from Chattanooga, recorded five tackles in three games with Baltimore before being released.

Despite the injuries, Daniel Jones has led the Indianapolis Colts to its best NFL start since 2009, throwing eight touchdowns with three interceptions and adding four rushing scores.