The last two years for Charvarius Ward haven't been kind. In fact, the Indianapolis Colts' cornerback has had to go through things people shouldn't have to. His daughter died from heart complications in 2024, and if he needed some time away from football, that would have made obvious sense.
Instead, Ward signed with the Colts in free agency this past offseason to a three-year deal worth as much as $60 million. He had been a very good player in the league, and by all accounts, was a very good person, too. Indy was getting a guy who would help on and off the field.
Unfortunately, Ward hasn't been able to help on the field much. He suffered a concussion in Week 1 and missed Week 2. He suffered another injury in pregame warmups in Week 6 when he ran into a teammate. He was placed on injured reserve and returned in Week 12. Ward then suffered his third concussion of the season in Week 14, and he has now been placed on injured reserve again.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward goes back on injured reserve after third concussion
This means the cornerback will miss the rest of the regular season, but one might rightly wonder if Charvarius Ward's career is done. He was open about questioning his return to the sport after his second concussion. Ward, like every other professional athlete, plays a sport to hopefully earn generational wealth.
That shouldn't mean potentially affecting the rest of his life. Concussions, especially three in the course of one season, can be life-altering.
Without Ward and, likely, without Sauce Gardner for Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks, Indy getting a victory seems far-fetched. Gardner might not return until Week 16 at the earliest after suffering a calf injury in Week 13. A once-promising Colts season is probably headed toward a very disappointing ending.
The Indianapolis Colts might also be looking at a future that is far less bright than it appeared just a month ago. General manager Chris Ballard gave two future first-round picks to the New York Jets in return for Gardner, so Indy's drafts will be affected. Quarterback Daniel Jones tore an Achilles tendon in Week 14 and will be out until probably late in the 2026 season.
He might not come back to Indy, either. He is a free agent this offseason, and Indianapolis might need to move on from bringing him back.
No one would blame Charvarius Ward if he decided not to play football anymore. Multiple brain injuries are nothing to take lightly. He must decide if he wants to risk how his life will look in a couple of decades versus getting paid now.
The Colts made several moves on Wednesday, too. Ward went to IR, 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers was signed to the practice squad, kicker Blake Grupe and quarterback Brett Rypien were signed to the active roster, and center Jimmy Morrissey was signed again to the practice squad.