The Indiana Fever announced on Friday that guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season due to injuries, leaving the team with only nine players available for their upcoming game. This shortage becomes critical as key player Caitlin Clark is also still sidelined, intensifying the Fever’s roster difficulties.
According to WNBA regulations, teams must have a minimum of ten healthy players to participate in a game. If a team falls below this threshold, they qualify for an emergency hardship contract, allowing an immediate signing to replenish their squad. However, the Fever will not be able to access this option until after their Saturday matchup against the Chicago Sky because the rules require that both Colson and McDonald miss a game before a hardship signing can be activated.
Details on Sydney Colson’s Injury and Its Impact
Sydney Colson suffered a torn left ACL during Indiana’s 95-60 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday. The 36-year-old guard sustained the injury early in the first quarter after an awkward landing and had to be helped off the court. Recovery from an ACL tear usually requires about one year, raising concerns that Colson could also miss the entire 2026 season.
Aari McDonald, who had initially joined the Fever on a hardship contract and later signed a standard deal, left the same game limping in the fourth quarter with an injury severe enough to end her season as well.
Experts Predict Potential Hardship Contract Signings
Indy Star analysts Brian Haenchen and Chloe Peterson have suggested several players who could potentially join the Fever on hardship contracts. Peterson noted that the team intended to add a player before their Tuesday game against the Dallas Wings.
Among the likely candidates is Odyssey Sims, a 2019 WNBA All-Star and veteran guard, who played 12 games with the LA Sparks earlier this season before being waived. Another option is Zia Cooke, recently released by the Washington Mystics after being acquired from the Seattle Storm.
Jaylyn Sherrod, a 23-year-old guard who was let go by the New York Liberty to accommodate Emma Meesseman’s return, is another prospect. Sherrod was part of the Liberty’s championship run last season. Additionally, Aerial Powers, a guard with championship experience, is being considered.
The Fever might also look to younger, less experienced players such as Serena Sundell, Deja Kelly, and Bree Hall. Hall, the 20th pick in the 2025 draft, was waived on May 5 but remains an option for the roster.
The Significance of the Roster Challenges for the Fever’s Season
Indiana’s injury crisis poses a significant challenge to the team’s competitiveness, especially with star guard Caitlin Clark still recovering. The delayed eligibility for hardship contracts means the Fever must navigate at least one game with fewer than ten active players, placing extra strain on their limited roster. The eventual addition of replacement players will be critical in stabilizing the team’s lineup.
The Fever’s situation underlines the impact injuries can have in professional sports and highlights the importance of strategic roster management during extended absences. How the team adapts over the coming weeks will likely determine their overall performance in the remainder of the 2025 season.