Indianapolis, IN — Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius “Mooney” Ward semi-recently returned to action after working back from a month-long concussion, his second concussion of the regular season. Although he showcased early in the season that he still has the capabilities to be a Pro Bowl-type player, this setback has proved to be more than just physical.Charvarius Ward isn’t only aware of his recent shortcomings on the field, but he’s poised to return to form. During his media availability yesterday, Ward both acknowledged his insufficient play and embraced the challenge to get back to his normal ways.“I definitely haven’t been playing to my standard yet,” Ward admitted. “You know, I’m just trying to get back into the groove of things, just continuing to work on my technique every day and work on what I feel like I need to work on. Just attack every day with a get better mindset. That’s what I’ve done my whole life, my whole career. Sometimes when things aren’t going great for me, that’s when I rise to the occasion and be my best. Hopefully, I can come out there this next week and be the Mooney I know that I’ve become over the years.”The Colts were confident their defense would improve after trading for star cornerback Sauce Gardner at the NFL trade deadline. Not only because adding a player of Gardner’s pedigree immediately raises the floor of a defense, which it does, but particularly because the Colts’ pass rush had been inconsistent, and coverage help in the backend could help alleviate that.While it has, for the most part, gone according to plan, overlapping injuries to key contributors (DeForest Buckner and Charvarius Ward) have prevented the Colts from sending out a fully healthy, star-powered unit. While Ward himself has been slowly but surely getting back to normalcy, Sauce Gardner’s ability to alleviate his return evaporated just two plays into the Houston game as Gardner was quickly ruled out for the rest of the contest, as well as for additional time after the fact, with a non-contact calf injury.Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo had to shed his initial game plan of Sauce Gardner following Texans star receiver Nico Collins, putting the responsibility on Charvarius Ward. He didn’t shy away from the occasion, though Ward did put on an atypical showing that we’re not accustomed to seeing.“Basically, I had to follow Nico [Collins]. Obviously, they put me at the number one receiver since we lost Sauce [Gardner],” Charvarius Ward explained when asked about the pivoted game plan in question. “It hurt to see [Sauce] go down on the second play of the game. An All-Pro, highest-paid corner in the game, he’s a big dawg, too. We definitely would’ve been better off with him. Putting me on Nico and having to rise to the occasion, I don’t think I played well yesterday. I’ll get better, though.”Ward had a strong debut back against the Kansas City Chiefs until the Colts’ 4th quarter/overtime collapse wore him down. Mainly lined up against Nico Collins last Sunday, however, it was a different story. As the nearest defender in coverage, here’s how Ward fared against Collins in their most recent matchup:6 receptions allowed on 10 targets for 112 receiving yards and a 98.8 passer rating against in 37 coverage snapsIt wasn’t a day to write home about, but Ward recognizes where he’s fallen short since returning and has only doubled down on being the right guy to rise to the occasion. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has zero concerns regarding his route back to himself as a player, echoing Ward’s sentiments about where he’s currently at as well as where he aims to get to.“We want Mooney to be the best version of himself,” Anarumo said before further explaining why it is he has so much faith in Ward. “I think anytime that you’re off from football for that long and really not practicing with the guys, it’s going to take you a little time to get back. I think he’ll just get better with practice reps. I wasn’t down on him at all. I love the guy to death. He’s really one of the smarter football players that I’ve been around. I think he’ll continue to get better as he stays with us and practices. I look forward to watching him this weekend.”Thankfully, current injured reserve member and star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner can have his 21-day practice window opened after the Colts’ Week 14 matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, head coach Shane Steichen revealed on Monday that Sauce Gardner will not be placed on injured reserve with the calf strain he suffered during last Sunday’s home loss to the Houston Texans. The Colts have entered a gauntlet of a final stretch schedule-wise, but at least their defense has help on the horizon.