Three concussions over one's lifetime are bad enough. Three is one season of football are dangerous, especially when they happen within about two months of each other. That is exactly what happened to Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward.
After his second of the 2025 season, Ward talked of dealing with dizziness for nearly a month. He thought about retirement, but decided against it. What were the chances he would suffer yet another concussion after all? Unfortunately, the answer came somewhat quickly in early December, and Ward didn't play the rest of the year.
He once again talked about retirement. He was almost 30 years old and had made enough money during his NFL career that he wouldn't need to ever work again, assuming he saved his money wisely. His father reportedly wanted him to quit rather than see his son have another brain injury. Ward had the rest of his life to worry about, of course.
Indianapolis Colts' Charvarius Ward might be leaning toward returning in 2026
Still, one might have assumed that after taking a break from the sport in the normal course of an offseason, the cornerback might rethink his stance on playing and come back. After all, pain is a feeling that is impossible to remember. One only remembers the situation surrounding the pain. Those times of Ward going through the pain were getting further and further behind him.
According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Ward is seemingly leaning toward returning to football instead of never playing again. Quitting a sport one has played since they were a small child and now makes so much money participating in is logically difficult.
Holder tweeted about Ward, "Regarding CB Charvarius Ward, who revealed last month he was strongly considering retirement after a series of concussions, I heard from him recently, and he was legitimately reconsidering that stance. Have not heard a final decision, but that remains fluid."
Will Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward play again? It seems likely based on what Holder reported. The hope for Indy fans gets complicated, though.
Most importantly, the hope is that he comes back and never gets hurt again, especially never suffering a concussion. A person's football life is far shorter than their actual life. When Ward is 65 years old, the hope is that he is not dealing with any kind of CTE issues from too many concussions.
Of course, Colts fans also will rightfully hope that the cornerback comes back and plays exceedingly well. He is capable of doing so, and he will be coupled with fellow corner Sauce Gardner. What would be best if Ward decides to play again is that he stays healthy while playing on a team that is making a run toward the Super Bowl.