The Indianapolis Colts enter Week 5 with Charvarius Ward still in question for Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the practice trail points in a promising direction.
Ward is dealing with a groin strain and has been playing through it recently. His week of work suggested he was moving the right way: limited on Wednesday and Thursday, then a full participant on Friday. That usually tells the story, unless something changes at the last moment.
Indianapolis, though, is hardly at full strength anywhere else. The Colts ruled out five players, including tight end Will Mallory, who has not played yet and was on injured reserve with a thumb injury. The other Colts ruled out are linebacker Jaylon Carlies (ribs), edge rusher Arden Key (hamstring), and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring).
Along with Ward, the Colts have one other player listed as questionable: wide receiver Keenan Allen, who missed Week 4 with a groin injury. Darius Slayton was initially listed as questionable as well, but was ruled out on Saturday.
Pittsburgh has injury issues of its own, but the list is built differently. Former Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will miss the game with a foot injury. The Steelers also ruled out safety DeShon Elliot (knee) and cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle), while defensive back Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and running back Rico Dowdle (toe) are questionable.
The Steelers have not been especially productive on offense this season, and losing Pittman doesn’t help that group. Whether that factors into Indianapolis’ decision on Ward remains to be seen, but for now the signs are pointing toward him being available if there isn’t a setback.
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Indianapolis, though, is not walking into a clean fix-all game. Even with the Colts installed as a touchdown favorite, there is still a lingering issue on the other side of the ball, and it is one that could keep this from being a simple rebound opportunity. If the Colts are going to take advantage of a vulnerable division opponent, they will need to be sharper than they have been in some recent defensive outings. [Read more 🡒]