INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced to reporters on Friday that cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. has cleared the concussion protocol, will be activated off Injured Reserve, and will play on Sunday on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ward was a full participant in practice this week for all three days after having his 21-day practice window opened. This is the first week that Ward was eligible to return to the practice field.

Ward has been on IR since suffering a concussion in a freak pregame accident in Week 6 before the Arizona Cardinals game. He and tight end Drew Ogletree collided on the field during workouts, sending Ward to the ground. It was Ward's second concussion since Week 1, so the team wanted to be cautious with him and shut him down for at least four games.

In four games this season, Ward has 13 tackles and three pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a passer rating of 71.6 when targeting him.

Two weeks ago, the Colts traded for fellow cornerback Sauce Gardner, whom they are eager to get on the field at the same time as Ward. Both players are considered high-level coverage players, so having two on the field at once gives Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo unique opportunities.

“Yeah, I think there's value to that," Anarumo told reporters this week. "I certainly think there's still value to maybe matching up a guy on a certain player. So, the beauty of that, it gives us flexibility to do whatever we think is best for that particular week.”

Ward and Gardner will team up this weekend to take on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The game is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and can be viewed on CBS.

Along with Ward, here is the Colts' injury report from Thursday:

• Did Not Participate — DT Grover Stewart (rest)
• Limited Participant — DE Samson Ebukam (knee), QB Daniel Jones (calf), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin)
• Full Participant — LB Jaylon Carlies (IR-ankle), WR Anthony Gould (knee), CB Kenny Moore II (rest), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (IR-concussion)

Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.