Charvarius Ward Returns After Concussion: “I Was Doubting if I Would Play Again”
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward revealed details about his concussion suffered in a pre-game collision. In his first interview since the incident, Ward described being “knocked out” and experiencing severe symptoms for weeks. Ward, recognized as a second-team All-Pro in 2023, was cleared from the concussion protocol on Friday. He is expected to be activated from injured reserve after practicing this week, preparing for the Colts’ matchup against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday. However, the road to recovery has been long. The incident occurred on October 12, during the pre-game warm-up against the Arizona Cardinals. Ward, while retreating, collided with tight end Drew Ogletree. The collision, which occurred at high speed, left him motionless on the field.Ward was ruled out for that day’s game and was subsequently placed on injured reserve, missing a total of five games. The symptoms he experienced were persistent and severe, according to Ward. “I was dizzy for almost a month. That wasn’t normal. It was a traumatic injury for me. Many emotions and all that. It was pretty tough, but I feel good,” he stated. The player admitted to having lost consciousness and having suffered a black eye after the incident. The experience led him to question his future in the sport.“It’s crazy. One moment I’m going for the ball. The next, I’m knocked out, lying on my back, and they’re taking me off the field in a wheelchair. It was crazy. Like I said, that’s a big guy. Ogletree is a really big guy. I didn’t see it coming. I feel like if I had my helmet on and it was like a normal football, I’d be fine. But I just didn’t see it coming”.
Charvarius Ward
Now that he’s back, Ward will team up with the Colts’ new cornerback, Sauce Gardner, who is preparing for his second game with the team after being traded from the New York Jets two weeks ago. Ward, Gardner, slot cornerback Kenny Moore II, and safeties Camryn Bynum and Nick Cross, make up what the Colts believe could become one of the best secondary units in the league. “I think it was a good transfer. He’s going to help our team a lot. I don’t think I’ve ever played with a cornerback who was as good as me or who maybe had more talent than me in some areas. So I’m excited to go out and play with them,” Ward added.“I was hesitant about whether I would play football again. It was that scary… I was thinking about my life outside of football as well”.
Charvarius Ward
