San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) and safety George Odum (30) celebrate following a fumble return by Ward against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Shanahan 'didn't feel totally right' about putting DB back in game

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/16/22

With the San Francisco 49ers locked in an NFC West battle with the Seattle Seahawks late on "Thursday Night Football," head coach Kyle Shanahan kept Charvarius Ward on the sidelines despite the starting cornerback clearing the concussion protocol.

For the record, Ward has not returned to the game. Janoris Jenkins still at RCB. https://t.co/xUwdcRLzhO
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 16, 2022

#49ers decided to play it safe with CB Charvarius Ward even after he passed initial concussion test: "I think he passed it originally," Kyle Shanahan said. "I just didn't feel totally right about it, just talking to him and stuff. We didn't think he should go back in."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 16, 2022

Ward was having a big game prior to his exit, primarily covering Seahawks star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. Ward played his second-fewest snaps of the season (52) on Thursday but still finished with six tackles, two passes defended and one fumble recovery.

Ward was excellent tonight before leaving game. Has been an outstanding addition for #49ers. https://t.co/EBCMX1ml87
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 16, 2022

The Super Bowl LIV champion with the Kansas City Chiefs signed with the Niners in March and has started all 14 of San Francisco's games this season. Ward already has a career-high 76 tackles and career-high and team-high 11 passes defended this year with three games remaining.

Shanahan's decision to hold out Ward in the fourth comes on the heels of another concussion controversy that could be headed the NFL's way. During the New England Patriots' Week 14 "Monday Night Football" victory over the Arizona Cardinals, wideout DeVante Parker suffered a concussion in the first quarter.

It was reported Tuesday that the NFL and NFLPA were "reviewing the circumstances surrounding the sequence of events" of Parker's concussion. The former Miami Dolphin later went on social media to bash the league over its handling of his injury.

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