The Indianapolis Colts will once again be without cornerback Charvarius Ward in the Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Ward suffered a concussion in pre-game warm-ups ahead of the Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals when he collided with tight end Drew Ogletree.
This is Ward's second concussion of the season and it led to Indianapolis placing him on injured reserve in Week 7.
Here's what we know about Ward's return timeline moving forward.
When is Charvarius Ward coming back?
Ward's placement on injured reserve means he must sit out at least four games.
Ward's fourth absence comes in Week 10, which means he'll be eligible to return from IR in Week 12 when the Colts get back from their Week 11 bye.
That said, there has been no indication that Ward will be ready to return when first eligible. One thing working against that is Ward has suffered two concussions this season, so he could very well be out longer than four games.
However, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder, the Colts do expect Ward back from IR this season and the Sauce Gardner trade "is being made completely independent of" Ward's injury status.
"Colts CB Charvarius Ward is absolutely expected to return from IR and the Sauce Gardner deal is being made completely independent of his situation," Holder said following the trade.
So, it's a matter of when, not if, we'll see Gardner and Ward lining up across from one another. That could happen as soon as Week 12.
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