INDIANAPOLIS — Charvarius Ward wore a Guardian cap for the Colts‘ season-opening loss to the Ravens.
Ward, who suffered three concussions during the 2025 season and openly contemplated retirement before making the decision to return, is trying to take every precaution to avoid suffering another concussion, an injury that could abruptly force his retirement.
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The 30-year-old cornerback had already made the switch to a helmet designed to prevent concussions, and he decided to put on the added protection of a Guardian cap. A Guardian cap is a soft-shell covering on the helmet that is designed to reduce the impact of a blow to the head.
“I was scared of getting knocked out again, for real,” Ward said. “I just put a Guardian cap on, I warmed up with it, and it felt good when I wore it during warmups, so I just kept it on all game.”
Ward’s worst concussion in 2025 came as the result of a collision in pregame warmups. Tight end Drew Ogletree ran into Ward, knocking him unconscious and leaving the veteran cornerback with symptoms that lasted more than a month, including dizziness and headaches. When he returned to the field near the end of the season, another bout of concussion symptoms led the Colts to place him on injured reserve.
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Ward told reporters at the end of July that he was “85%” convinced he’d retire, only to decide he wanted to come back while training during the offseason, convinced he still has something to offer.
He has acknowledged that the specter of concussions still hangs over his head.
“I don’t know if it made a difference or not,” Ward said. “I’ve got a headache right now. I don’t think it’s a concussion, but it is what it is. It’s just football. You’re going to get dinged up, you’re going to get knocked around. It’s part of the game. Football’s a physical game. I know what I signed up for.”
But Ward is going to try to take every precaution.
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The Guardian cap is here to stay.
“I might as well keep it for the season,” Ward said. “It’s not going to hurt me, so I think I’m going to wear it for the season.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How Colts CB Charvarius Ward is protecting himself after concussions nearly ended his career
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