Ward feels good after surgery, wants to ‘stick around’ with 49ers

SANTA CLARA — On Tuesday, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward revealed that he had been dealing with a core muscle injury for multiple years. The All-Pro was on the side field doing rehabilitation work during mandatory minicamp and expects to be back on the field for training camp. Ward detailed when he had the realization that surgery couldn't wait any longer. "I've had this injury for almost four years now, dating back to when I was in KC," Ward said. "It just started to get a little worse over time, you know, the grind of a football season. It started wearing my body, so I felt like I needed to get it done. "I feel good. Back running, doing DB drills. Everything I need to be doing leading up to training camp, so I think I'll be ready Day 1 of camp." Ward and teammate George Kittle both had core muscle surgery performed by the same doctor within a week of each other, but unlike Kittle, Ward wasn't as affected by the injury on the field. "I was balling the second half of the season, so it really didn't take much of a toll," Ward said. "I didn't seem like it. [It was] just my day-to-day life. Just sitting down, my lower back started to hurt. Driving a car, sitting in the car for a...