Source: Michael Zagaris / Getty
**INDIANAPOLIS –** It is something Lou Anarumo has done before, and is open to doing again
Perhaps it won’t be an every week thing, but the Colts will have an added wrinkle to their defensive gameplans in 2025.
If the opponent calls for it, the Colts are going to be willing to use new cornerback Charavrius Ward in a 1-on-1, shadow role?
“I think if it’s warranted in particular game plans, he’s up for that,” Anarumo says of Ward doing some shadowing. “I’ve always kind of done that – match guys up with who I think is a good matchup for us and maybe give us a little bit of an advantage. So, we’ll see how it goes.”
Expecting it to be an every week thing is unlikely.
But the Colts new defensive staff is open to exploring a shadow role, and they feel Ward offers the personnel to do it, too.
Take a look at the wide receivers on the Colts 2025 schedule.
Would it make sense to have Ward in a shadow role for the likes of Courtland Sutton, DK Metcalf, Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr, Nico Collins (twice)?
Again, game flow and personnel when those games show up on the schedule will impact the usage of such a wrinkle.
Even if the Colts just implement Ward shadowing such players on third down or the red zone, that is something that could aid this team on those difference making plays.
In San Francisco, Ward did some traveling with other top wideouts in 2023, but that was dialed back in 2024.
**[No need to question Ward’s confidence](https://1075thefan.com/533594/charvarius-ward-brings-cornerback-swagger-to-colts/)** by giving him such island responsibilities.
“I can press, I can tackle, I can play off, I can travel with the best receivers,” Ward says. “I feel like I can do it all as a corner. My game is versatile. I just feel like I’m a CB No. 1 – a great cornerback.”
“I’m versatile. I think I can fit in any scheme. (Anarumo) said he’s going to let me travel with the best receivers. So, he’s going to let me press. He’s going to let me do my thing – be physical, be aggressive and just be me. Be that guy that they pay me to be.”
This is new.
And while it won’t be an every week item, it is definitely something the Colts feel more comfortable throwing at an opponent compared to years past.
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