During his media availability Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard addressed the status of several key players, including an important update on DeForest Buckner‘s injury recovery. Ballard also shared insights on the future of other athletes like quarterback Anthony Richardson and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., reflecting on their progress and the team’s plans moving forward.
Anthony Richardson’s Development and Recovery
Ballard dismissed rumors suggesting that Anthony Richardson, the Colts’ 2023 first-round draft pick, lacks a future with the team despite limited playtime in 2025. Richardson, who served as the backup quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones and behind Riley Leonard on the depth chart, played sparingly during the season. He suffered a fractured orbital bone in a pregame warm-up before Week 6, which caused lasting vision problems and sidelined him for most of the year.
Richardson has since returned to practice and been medically cleared to play, with Ballard emphasizing ongoing improvement.
“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.”
Both Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen praised Richardson’s positive attitude amid adversity.
“I’m proud of Anthony,”
Ballard commented.
“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’s NFL career so far includes 17 games played, 15 starts, 2,400 passing yards, 634 rushing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Michael Pittman Jr.’s Role and Contract Outlook
Veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. recently questioned his future with the Colts as he enters the last year of his current contract. The 28-year-old’s total receiving yards dipped to 784 in 2025, his lowest output since his rookie campaign. However, Pittman established a new personal best with seven receiving touchdowns, leading the team in that category last season.
Ballard expressed strong confidence in Pittman’s value to the team beyond statistics.
“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.”
Coach Steichen echoed these sentiments, highlighting Pittman’s toughness and ability to make contested catches.
“Pitt’s been phenomenal for us,”
Steichen remarked.
“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.”
DeForest Buckner’s Injury Status and Recovery Timeline
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner experienced a serious neck injury during the Colts’ Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, resulting in temporary paralysis of the left side of his upper body. Following his placement on injured reserve before Week 10, Buckner embarked on intense rehabilitation that allowed him to return briefly in Week 16 versus the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, the injury flared up again, forcing another stint on injured reserve and leading to successful surgery before the end of the season.
Ballard shared that Buckner felt immediate relief after the operation and is expected to rejoin the team for training camp, although an exact return date to practice has not been specified.
“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 Buckner’s six seasons with the Colts, he has accumulated notable defensive statistics, including 43 sacks, 59 tackles for loss, and 114 quarterback hits.
Braden Smith’s Mental Health Journey and On-Field Performance
Right tackle Braden Smith, a 2018 second-round pick and one of the team’s longest-tenured players, battled mental health challenges in 2024, which he has openly discussed. Smith returned to start 13 games in 2025 before a neck injury and concussion in Week 14 led to his placement on injured reserve prior to Week 15.
Ballard praised Smith’s perseverance and leadership, noting his substantial improvement and impact on and off the field.
“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.”
The Colts drafted Iowa State’s Jalen Travis in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft as Smith’s potential successor, and Travis earned three starts 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.”
Additional Colts Roster and Offseason Considerations Mentioned by Ballard
Besides focusing on player health and contracts, Ballard also talked about quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr., all of whom the Colts are actively evaluating heading into the offseason. Ward, who suffered multiple concussions in 2025, is reconsidering his football future with guidance from the team’s leadership.
Ballard expressed hope that the Colts could secure contract extensions for Jones and Pierce before the free agency period begins, with no firm decisions made yet on franchise tags.
Significance of Updates and Outlook for Colts’ Upcoming Season
These player updates from Chris Ballard highlight both the challenges and resilience within the Colts roster as they prepare for 2026. The cautious optimism surrounding Anthony Richardson’s development, Michael Pittman Jr.’s continued leadership, and DeForest Buckner’s recovery from a severe neck injury underline the team’s intent to maintain competitiveness while managing critical health concerns.
Braden Smith’s return from injury and mental health advocacy also adds a meaningful dimension to the Colts’ culture and on-field strength. As training camp approaches, sustained recovery and informed roster decisions will play pivotal roles in shaping the Colts’ performance in the coming season. Fans and analysts alike will closely watch how these situations evolve during the offseason and preseason activities.
I just caught up with #Colts Wide Receiver Michael Pittman here in San Francisco. He knows his future in Indy isn’t certain, but there’s no doubt he wants to be back with the team.
“Indy is my home…I love this team” @WISHNews8 #allACcessindy #SuperBowlLX pic.twitter.com/tBGN8iNiCe
— Anthony Calhoun 📺 (@ACwishtv) February 4, 2026
