Overview
- Ward was ruled out against the Cardinals after colliding with tight end Drew Ogletree during pregame drills at Lucas Oil Stadium.
- Colts medical staff evaluated Ward on the field as he appeared dazed, and social video of the impact circulated widely, including a TSN post.
- Steichen described the incident as a rare occurrence during standard individual warmups and emphasized player awareness on the field.
- With Ward unavailable, Cardinals backup Jacoby Brissett threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, though Indianapolis won 31-27 after a late surge.
- Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson also sustained a separate warmups eye injury reported as a band work mishap.