In addition to discussing what’s next for quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr., Colts general manager Chris Ballard was asked about several other key players during his media sessions on Tuesday. Here’s what he said and what you need to know about each player:

Quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.

Ballard pushed back on the notion Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick who appeared in just two games in 2025, may not have a future with the Colts, who will return Riley Leonard in 2026 in addition to working toward keeping Jones as their starting quarterback.

“I’m not gonna say he needs a complete fresh start,” Ballard said. “Anthony’s still young. He’s still devlepoing. So we’ll see what the future holds. But I still belive in Anthony.”

Richardson began the 2025 season as the Colts’ backup quarterback, between Jones as the starter and Leonard as the third-stringer, but only played toward the end of blowout wins over the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders. He sustained a fractured orbital bone and was left with vision limitations after a freak accident during pregame warmups prior to the Colts’ Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Richardson returned to practice while still on injured reserve in December but was not activated to play. When he discussed his status on New Year’s Eve, Richardson said his eyesight had still not returned to 100 percent, with the “toughest part” being “everything more so within the foot radius of my box.”

Ballard on Tuesday said Richardson is “getting better” and has been cleared to play football again. Both he and head coach Shane Steichen, though, made a point to emphasize the positive attitude Richardson had during a challenging 2025 season.

“I’m proud of Anthony,” Ballard said. “Here’s a guy that has had to deal with a lot of injury stuff that hapens — unfortunate accident with his eye. He doesn’t win the job, Daniel wins the job. I think the one thing that I don’t know if everybody appreciates about Anthony – I do and I know some of his teammates do – is he’s a really good teammate. Positive. Wants to do the right thing. It’s trending in the right direction. Still got a ways to go. He’s cleared to play and the eye’s getting better. Just work from there.”

“I was so proud of the way he attacked last offseason and going into training camp, and the role that he had being the backup,” Steichen said. “Obviously, just a very unfortunate incident that happened to him in the locker room. So, you know, I know his eye’s progressing well, everything’s going well, and, you know, we’ll see what the future holds.”

Richardson, since being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has appeared in 17 games (15 starts) and completed 177 of 350 passes (50.6 percent) for 2,400 passing yards with 634 rushing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 67.8.