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(NOVEMBER 19th)
The Colts Designate Charvarius Ward to Return From IR
(By James Boyd
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...ussion-chiefs/
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. will practice Wednesday, coach Shane Steichen announced a couple of hours before his team took the field.
Ward was placed on injured reserve last month due to a concussion, and although he remains in concussion protocol, his 21-day return-to-play window has officially been opened. The veteran cornerback could return to game action Sunday on the road against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he won the Super Bowl during the 2019 season. are 8-2 and were at the top of the AFC playoff standings prior to Week 11.
Steichen also announced that the Colts have designated linebacker Jaylon Carlies to return from IR, and he will practice on Wednesday, too. Carlies, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has been sidelined since training camp due to an ankle injury.
If Ward or Carlies is not elevated from injured reserve to the active roster during their 21-day return-to-play window, then they must remain on IR for the rest of the season.
Ward has only appeared in four games this year due to two concussions. The 29-year-old suffered his first concussion in the season opener and was sidelined in Week 2. Ward sustained his second concussion during pregame warmups in Week 6 after he and reserve tight end Drew Ogletree accidentally ran into each other.
“Obviously, the (collision) before the game was very unique, but he’s in a good head space,” Steichen said of Ward. “He’s preparing. He’s been working like crazy to get back out there, so, like I said, we’re excited to get him back out on the practice field this week.”
Ward, a 2023 second-team All-Pro, was a big part of the Colts’ 2025 free agency class, which also featured quarterback Daniel Jones and free safety Cam Bynum. Jones currently has the fourth-highest single-season passer rating in Colts history at 101.6, and Bynum has recorded two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Indianapolis believes Ward, whom they signed to a three-year, $60 million deal, can be an impact player, as well, when he’s fully healthy.
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