Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. is back on the field, but his back injury isn't something he expects to completely leave behind anytime soon.
Ward returned to individual drills Tuesday before participating in a handful of team reps Wednesday after missing roughly two weeks.
Following his return, the veteran cornerback offered a candid assessment of what lies ahead.
"It's gonna be something I gotta deal with. Something I gotta maintain. Something I gotta manage," Ward said, via James Boyd of The Athletic. "Definitely not gonna be fixed overnight or over the next couple weeks. I just gotta maintain it throughout the whole entire season."
#Colts Charvarius Ward Sr.: on his back injury: “It’s gonna be something I gotta deal with. Something
I gotta maintain. Something I gotta manage. Definitely not gonna be fixed overnight or over the next couple weeks. I just gotta maintain it throughout the whole entire season.” pic.twitter.com/8rW6y8ForK
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 26, 2026
Ward told reporters the issue began bothering him during the 2025 season and became more noticeable during the offseason before worsening in training camp.
Despite the lingering nature of the injury, he expects to be available when Indianapolis opens the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ward's availability carries added importance for the Colts' secondary, with Cam Taylor-Britt serving a one-game suspension in Week 1, leaving Indianapolis thinner at cornerback behind Ward, Sauce Gardner and Justin Walley.
The Colts will continue monitoring Ward's workload as the season opener approaches.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' Charvarius Ward gives update on back injury
