Chiefs vs. Chargers: Charvarius Ward could play in Week 2

Charvarius Ward has a chance at playing in Week 2 for the Chiefs.

If things go well this week in practice for cornerback Charvarius Ward, it’s possible, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, that he could suit up and play for the Kansas City Chiefs in this weekend’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Per Taylor, Ward had a successful surgery on his fractured hand—an injury he suffered against the Houston Texans in Week 1—and will be tested during the Chiefs practices leading up to Week 2.

Ward is the Chiefs top cornerback and was expected to make a leap forward in his third year in the NFL. Last season was his first as a full-time starter, so with 16 games of experience and a full year to learn Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme, Ward was expected to shoulder the load as the team’s best corner in a young secondary that featured multiple rookie corners.

The Chiefs pass coverage will be tested, regardless, against the Chargers given the presence of dynamic weapons like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler. Each player has great hands and can create mismatches on defense, which means the Chiefs will be hoping that Ward showcases good things in practice in the next few days.

The Chiefs secondary is already thinner than hoped with the suspension of cornerback Bashaud Breeland for the first four weeks of the regular season. If Ward cannot go after all, then the team will likely lean on Rashad Fenton outside to go with fourth round draft pick L’Jarius Sneed, who looked solid in his pro debut last week against Houston.