Mark Sanchez could face up to 16 years in prison over the violent altercation that saw the ex-NFL star stabbed and left a 69-year-old man battling horrific injuries.

That is according to prosecutors, who have shed more light on the shocking incident that took place in Indianapolis in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Sanchez, 38, is already facing up to six years in prison after being charged with a Level 5 felony battery of causing serious injury. He is accused of instigating a shocking brawl that left him in critical condition and a grease truck driver covered in blood.

And on Tuesday, prosecutor Ryan Mears revealed that Sanchez could be in even deeper trouble, as he suggested that the ex-passer’s battery charge could be upgraded to a Level 3 felony.

Asked if Sanchez could face even more serious charges, Mears said: ‘Yeah, so one of the things in…’ One of the things in the state of Indiana is you can actually upgrade the battery charge from a Level 5 felony to a Level 3 felony if you have what is known as permanent or protracted loss,’ he told NewsNation.

‘You’re looking for a healthcare provider – a doctor, in particular – to be able to provide that diagnosis and say: what’s the long-term impact of these injuries and how is that going to impact the victim?

‘So those are our conversations we’ll have with the treating physicians – the doctors involved with this case – that’ll help us make that ultimate charging decision.’

Mears confirmed that prosecutors are still ‘waiting’ for doctors to ‘confirm’ the extent of the victim’s injuries.

Sanchez is accused of drunkenly accosting Perry Tole as he attempted to back his truck into a hotel’s loading dock. Tole told police that Sanchez pursued him, entered his truck and threatened him. That caused the driver to pepper spray the ex-NFL star, according to the affidavit.

Sanchez was allegedly undeterred, however, and continued to strike the man, who fell back into a dumpster and on to pallets.

Tole then pulled out a knife and stabbed Sanchez several times in his chest because, as he told police, he believed ‘this guy is trying to kill me.’ Sanchez fled after being stabbed, according to the affidavit.

Tole told police that Sanchez smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech, while otherb reports suggested that Sanchez was displaying ‘erratic’ behavior before the altercation in the alley occurred.

Fox59 even  reported – via a source – that Sanchez, 39, was doing ‘wind sprints’ in the alleyway shortly before the violent altercation occurred.

Gruesome photos were released on Sunday revealing the extent of Tole’s injuries, as he was seen bloodied in a hospital bed with a significant gash on his face.

Sanchez was detained – while still in the hospital – on initial charges of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.

The former Jets player was in Indianapolis ahead of the Colts-Raiders, which he was meant to call for Fox before his arrest. 

Tole has now filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer Fox, suing for compensatory and punitive damages, on Monday.

Tole claims in his filing that he has suffered severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages as a result of the altercation.

Speaking to TMZ, Sanchez’s brother, Nick, broke the family’s silence on the incident on Monday night. 

‘This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,’ he told TMZ.

‘Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.’

Aside from Sanchez’s legal troubles, a Fox insider has told the Daily Mail that his career at the network is effectively over.

The incident is being viewed as a ‘career-ending event’ for the 38-year-old NFL announcer.

‘He’s already been told that he won’t be on camera again, and we’ve made the moves to replace him,’ the source told Daily Mail. ‘As long as there are serious charges pending we really just can’t have him on screen.

‘He has not yet been officially fired, because that takes some legalities, but that’s where this is going,’ the source continued. ‘He has a morals clause in his contract, like everyone else. This arrest violates that clause, and it’s a terminable offense.

Sanchez joined ESPN as an analyst in 2019 following his retirement, and later jumped to Fox Sports in 2021. 

Known as a consummate teammate during his 10-year career in the NFL, Sanchez has now left his ex-teammate Nick Mangold stunned by the allegations against him.

‘The Mark I know wouldn’t do this,’ the former Jets center told the New York Post.

Mangold, who has known Sanchez for 16 years, added: ‘It’s completely out of character… he doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body.

‘For something of this to happen, something obviously wasn’t right that night, and I hope they get to the bottom of it.’