Charvarius Ward didn’t need long to explain what pulled him back for the 2026 NFL season. The Colts cornerback said retirement was very much on the table after 2025, but he stopped short of walking away.
“Probably 85% sure I was going to retire,” Ward said via Stephen Holder after Thursday’s training camp practice.
That hesitation came after a brutal stretch. Ward dealt with three separate concussions last season, and he also lost his daughter in 2024. Still, he said he found a reason to keep going.
“I found a different why, a different purpose,” Ward said. “Doing it for Junior, doing it for Amani, my daughter.
They bring me joy. They bring a smile to my face.”
Back on the field, Ward and Sauce Gardner have wasted no time making their presence felt. On Day 1 of practices, Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports said the cornerback pair made a “noticeable impact, with each forcing a pass breakup. He added that Jones “seemed apprehensive” to test the boundaries where Ward and Gardner were lined up.
By Day 2, the coverage had not gotten any easier for Daniel Jones. The Indy Star’s Joel Erickson noted that “most” of Jones’ completions had gone to tight ends and running backs, a sign of how well Ward and Gardner were handling the wide receivers.
Ward’s first season with the Colts already showed what he can do when healthy. In seven games, he allowed a completion rate of 57% on 37 targets and broke up seven passes.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardson Suddenly Has Colts Fans Watching A Very Uncomfortable Situation
Anthony Richardsons place in Indianapolis was already a source of intrigue before camp opened, and the first few days have only made the conversation louder. The former first-round quarterback is back on the roster, but his early training camp throws have drawn fresh scrutiny because the accuracy issues that have followed him are once again front and center.
The timing matters, too, because his contract creates a tricky backdrop for any potential move. With a roster bonus built into the deal during the early part of camp, the Colts are staring at a situation that could affect when they would even be able to consider trade options, while also knowing Richardsons value is tied directly to how he looks on the field right now. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Downs Just Sent A Strong Message About Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones has spent training camp working his way back into the Colts offense, and the early signs have been encouraging. The quarterback is participating in 11-on-11 drills as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury, and Indianapolis has every reason to keep a close eye on how he looks after committing to him on a two-year contract.
Josh Downs added to that optimism with a simple but important assessment of where Jones stands. The receiver said Jones looks fully recovered and ready to play, which matters for a Colts offense that is expected to go as far as its quarterback can take it this season. The lingering question now is how that health translates once the pace picks up and the hits start coming for real. [Read more 🡒]