Charvarius Ward

Ward was the only questionable Colts player, but got in a full practice on Friday. Ashton Dulin (ankle) was ruled out on Friday. The other Colts inactives, all healthy scratches, are RB DJ Giddens, DE George Gumbs Jr., QB Riley Leonard, WR Darius Slayton and G Dalton Tucker.

Ward was contemplating retirement this offseason due to a scary amount of documented concussions, but gave it a go at training camp only to wind up missing tons of time due to this back injury. The 30-year-old will start for the Colts if he’s healthy for Week 1, but that sounds like an open question at this time.

Ward is quoted as saying that even a small bump on his head in normal day-to-day activity recently left him with a debilitating migraine, and adds: “I do know going into next season, if I do come back and play again, if I get one more (concussion), I’ll for sure probably retire.” A big-name free agent addition by the Colts this past offseason, Ward was only able to play seven games while dealing with brain injuries.

Again. As in: For the third time this season. Woof. It would not be surprising if this was a season-ender for Ward. He did play 61 of 64 snaps against the Jaguars, so he apparently either played through symptoms or they developed after the game. It’s become a lost season for Ward, one of the Colts big-money signings this offseason.

Ward sustained his concussion in pre-game warmups ahead of Week 6’s game with the Cardinals. His return should give the Colts a lot of versatility at cornerback as they can now boast a triumvirate of Sauce Gardner, Ward, and Kenny Moore.

Ward is firmly on track to play in Week 12 against the Colts. The Colts’ secondary has been banged up this year, so Ward’s return is a positive occurrence. Colts slot CB Kenny Moore II is also fully healthy after dealing with an Achilles injury for much of the year.

Ward sustained a concussion during pre-game warmups ahead of the Colts’ Week 6 game against Arizona and was placed on injured reserve. He could suit up as soon as this week against the Chiefs if he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol and gets the green light from Colts trainers. Ward will be a welcome addition to a Colts secondary that has struggled of late.

Ward suffered a concussion in pre-game warmups in Week 6 and has now been placed on injured reserve, marking a massive blow to the secondary in Indianapolis. The freak accident will keep him out of the game-day lineup for the next four games, at minimum.

Ward suffered a concussion in pre-game warmups and is out against the Cardinals. Rookie UDFA Johnathan Edwards is starting in his place for an already banged-up Colts secondary.

Ward missed Week 2 after going down in the opener but is thankfully ready to return after a one-game absence. He has a DB’s dream matchup in the Titans’ struggling passing attack. Inactive for the Colts are QB Riley Leonard, TE Will Mallory, LB Chad Muma, OT Luke Tenuta and EDGE JT Tuimoloau.

Ward did not practice last week because of his concussion and was ruled out on Friday. A return on Wednesday puts him in line to suit up for Week 3, but the veteran corner will still need to clear the league’s concussion protocol before being given the green light. Fellow Indy defender Laiatu Latu was also spotted at practice. The second-year EDGE missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury. Getting both players back for Week 3 would be a big win for a Colts defense that just gave up 28 points to the Broncos.

Fellow cornerback Jaylon Jones has also been ruled out. EDGE Laiatu Latu is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. The Colts shut down the Dolphins in Week 1 but will now be at least slightly undermanned on defense. They are hosting the Broncos this week as Denver looks for a bounce-back after a sluggish win over the Titans. Bo Nix remains in the QB1 ranks for now, but another shaky outing could have him outside of the top 12 for Week 3.

Ward developed concussion-like symptoms on Monday and will need to get on the practice field on Friday to have any chance of clearing protocol ahead of Week 2’s game against the Broncos. It certainly would help Courtland Sutton out if Ward were down.

Ward joins CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring) on the sideline to begin the week. Jones has not yet suited up this season after injuring his hamstring in late July. The Colts are tasked with covering Broncos WR Courtland Sutton this week, and Jones appears to have low odds of playing. If Ward can return, his presence would go a long way toward containing the X-receiver.

Just what the Colts needed: Another CB injury. We’ll monitor this one ahead of Week 2 but it would not be ideal for the Colts to be down their best outside coverage player against Courtland Sutton and the Broncos.

Hours after agreeing to a deal with safety Cam Bynum, the Colts were at it again. Ward joins the team on a three-year deal that could net him up to $60 million, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Ward is a former UDFA from the 2018 draft class who emerged as a starter during his second season with the Chiefs. He’s proven over time to be a reliable defender in coverage, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2023 while also being named as a second-team All-Pro. His 23 pass breakups led the league that season. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo continues to get pieces to add to a secondary that ranked among the league’s worst last season.