Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward opens up on decision to return this season

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward was close to retiring after last season.

He came to the Colts in free agency ahead of the 2025 season. He left the San Francisco 49ers after his daughter, Amani, passed away in October 2024.

Then last season, Ward had three concussions, including one that had him on the IR for four weeks and another that caused him to miss the final four games of the season.

Ward opened up about his decision to return to the Colts this season on Thursday.

“I was probably like 85% sure I was going to retire,” Ward said. “But I found a different why, a different purpose. Doing it for Junior (his son, Charvarius Ward Jr.), doing it for Amani, my daughter, they bring me joy. They put smiles on my face. They put me in a better emotional and mental state to come out here and play, and have the energy to come out here and run around with these young guys because if I’m depressed, I don’t want to come out here and chase around these young guys. So, I feel good. I got a lot of energy, smiling again. So, I think I still belong out here.”

He was pretty sure he was done after he got his second concussion last season in a pregame incident before the game against the Cardinals.