Harrisonburg graduate Patrick Ward is sporting a sleek new red jersey at JMU football practice this week.

Ward jokes that it's because he's now the Dukes' emergency quarterback, but it's actually a precaution.

Ward suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff return of Saturday's win against Hofstra. He remained in the game for a few series before spending most of the 56-0 JMU win on the sideline.

"I feel a whole lot better now," Ward said Wednesday. "A very slight headache, if anything at all, so I feel pretty good right now."

Ward has been practicing, but the red jersey is a constant reminder that he's off limits from hits.

"It's a little bit different," says Ward of his new look. "Everybody makes jokes about it and everything, of course. People saying they've never seen a receiver in a red jersey on, but I just take it."

Both Ward and head coach Mickey Matthews say Ward will play this Saturday at Richmond.