Why Colts CB Charvarius Ward is not with team in New England
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Why Colts CB Charvarius Ward is not with team in New England
Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star
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2 min read
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ColtsAll-Pro cornerbackCharvarius Warddid not travel with the team to New England this week and will missTuesday's joint practice with the Patriotsand Thursday evening's preseason opener after suffering "back pain and irritation" in the wake of Sunday's training camp practice, Indianapolis general managerChris Ballardtold reporters Tuesday.
"We left him back (in Indianapolis). I didn't want you all to not see him out there today (in practice), so we left him back in Indy to rehab," Ballard told reporters ahead of the start of Tuesday morning's joint practice.
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Ballard would not put a timeline on Ward's return to the field. "The back is a little tricky. We want to make sure he feels good and ready to go before we put him back out there," theColtsGM said. "Plus, he's had a long career, so we want to make sure we take care of him."
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) smiles with talking to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Easton Stick (4) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Nolan Rucci (76) blows out his nose Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne smiles as fans yell his name on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Daniel Scott (32) rushes up the field on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) guards Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Cameron Ball (64) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) spits out water Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) puts on his helmet on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) walks up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rob Carter Jr. (39) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rob Carter Jr. (39) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) smiles during warm-up on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Trey Washington (41) runs drills on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) runs drills on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) walks up the field on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen (9) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (52) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) shakes hands with Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan (20) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan (20) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) jogs up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gould (6) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Sahmir Hagans (11) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Reuben Lowery III (36) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
2/23
See Colts QB Riley Leonard at training camp
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) smiles with talking to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Easton Stick (4) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
3/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Nolan Rucci (76) blows out his nose Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
4/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne smiles as fans yell his name on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
5/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts safety Daniel Scott (32) rushes up the field on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
6/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) guards Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Cameron Ball (64) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
7/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) spits out water Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
8/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) puts on his helmet on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
9/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) walks up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
10/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rob Carter Jr. (39) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
11/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rob Carter Jr. (39) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
12/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) smiles during warm-up on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
13/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts safety Trey Washington (41) runs drills on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
14/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) runs drills on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
15/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) walks up the field on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
16/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen (9) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
17/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (52) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
18/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) shakes hands with Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan (20) on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
19/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan (20) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
20/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) jogs up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
21/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gould (6) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
22/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Sahmir Hagans (11) catches the ball Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
23/23
The Indianapolis Colts Camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield
Indianapolis Colts safety Reuben Lowery III (36) rushes up the field Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, during Colts Camp practice at Gand Park in Westfield.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
The 30-year-old cornerback is entering his second season in Indianapolis. Ward missed 10 games in 2025 due to three concussions.
The Colts did, though, have four players return to the practice field who either were limited or who did not participate in Sunday's practice at Grand Park, including receiverJosh Downs(who had missed two practices with a groin injury), cornerbackJustin Walley(who missed part of Sunday's practice with a hamstring injury) and safetyHunter Wohlerand receiverLaquon Treadwell(both who had missed the last several practices with their own hamstring injuries).
Running backDJ Giddensand rookie linebackerCJ Allenremain sidelined with their own hamstring injuries. Star receiver Alec Pierce remains on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to rehab his surgically-repaired left ankle and heel, but the receiver was seen off to the side working with a trainer while wearing cleats Tuesday at the team's joint practice.
