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.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman earlier this month wondered about his future with the Colts, as he's in the final year of the contract he signed about a week after receiving the franchise tag in 2024. The 28-year-old Pittman totaled 784 receiving yards in 2025, which was his lowest total since his rookie year of 2020.
The Colts, though, value Pittman's leadership and the physical tone he sets within their offense. And while his total yards may have decreased, he did set a new career high with seven receiving touchdowns, which also was a team high in 2025.
"I think the world of Pitt, who he is as a player," Ballard said, "and any any suggestion that he's not going to be here is a pure hypothetical."
Steichen echoed Ballard's view of Pittman.
"Pitt's been phenomenal for us," Steichen said. "I mean, one of the toughest guys I've ever been around, the way he plays the game, the contested catches (have) just absolutely been awesome."
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
Buckner sustained a neck injury in the Colts' Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that led to the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle losing all the strength in the left side of his upper body. He was placed on injured reserve prior to Week 10 and went about a rigorous rehab process, which ultimately led to him returning for the Colts' Week 16 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
But that turned out to be Buckner's only game back, as he re-aggravated the injury in Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve shortly after. Buckner underwent successful surgery prior to the end of the season.
Ballard said Buckner, who turns 32 in March and is a pillar not only on the Colts' defense but within the entire locker room, felt "relief" after undergoing that surgical procedure and "instantly" felt better. Ballard did not put a timetable on when Buckner could begin practicing again, but did say the Colts expect him back for training camp.
"The way he works and who he is, wouldn't surprise me if it's sooner," Ballard said. "But he'll be back and he'll be ready to go. And I think he'll have a good year."
In six seasons with the Colts, Buckner has 43 sacks, 59 tackles for a loss, 114 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles and 17 passes batted down.
RT Braden Smith
Smith, the 2018 second-round pick and one of the longest-tenured members of the Colts, is an impending free agent for the first time in his career.
The 29-year-old right tackle returned to the Colts in 2025 and started 13 games; he dealt with mental illness in 2024 that nearly derailed his career, but has bravely and openly discussed those mental issues over the last year or so.
"What he's overcame, and his openness and willingness to make a difference in the mental health space, as we all see right now, is an issue," Ballard said. "I mean, the tragedy we had this last week with Rondale Moore, I mean prayers for his family and Purdue and teams he's played (for), but that's that's awful and I've thought a lot about them the last few days. And then I've thought a lot in combination with Braden, what he went through, what he overcame and then how he played. Like, he played excellent. Braden was, and he's always been good, he's one of the most underappreciated tackles in the NFL."
Smith was placed on injured reserve prior to Week 15 due to a neck injury he sustained in Week 14; he also sustained a concussion in that same game.
Whether the Colts bring Smith back or not remains to be seen. The team drafted Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie started three games at right tackle (and one at left tackle) after Smith's injury.
"We also were really pleased with the way Travis played," Ballard said in January. "We think he's got a lot of upside here going forward."
