Seattle Seahawks’ DK Metcalf catches a long touchdown pass against San Francisco 49ers’ Charvarius Ward during second quarter of Saturday’s NFC wild-card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium.
Scott Strazzante / The ChronicleCharvarius Ward isn’t the greatest cornerback of all time. But he is very good. He has reminded himself of that this week after a subpar performance in which he allowed a long touchdown pass in the San Francisco 49ers ’ wild-card win against Seattle on Saturday.
“Of course, you’re going to get got,” Ward said Thursday. “Muhammad Ali got beat up before. S— happens. But you’ve got to make sure it doesn’t happen again and learn from your mistakes.”
Ward, the 49ers’ big-money lockdown corner, will look to bounce back Sunday when the Cowboys and Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb visit Levi’s Stadium for a divisional-playoff game.
Against the Seahawks, Ward surrendered a 50-yard, second-quarter touchdown pass to Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf down the left sideline, which was part of Metcalf’s prolific performance (10 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TDs). Metcalf caught four passes for 85 yards on five targets with Ward covering him.
Ward said the Seahawks often tried deep back-shoulder throws to Metcalf in the teams’ two regular-season meetings. Ward was anticipating another such throw from quarterback Geno Smith, but Metcalf ran a straight go route instead.
“I was playing for that again,” Ward said. “They made an adjustment and they threw the ball over the top. I was in good position, but I looked back for the back shoulder. And once I saw it over the shoulder, I couldn’t turn around, get back in phase with him. So I know exactly what I did wrong on that play.”
Added Ward: “Nobody likes to get scored on. That’s a terrible feeling as a cornerback. That’s the first time I gave up a ball like that — just a straight go ball — for a touchdown. That never happened to me before.”
Ward figures to see plenty of Lamb on Sunday. The No. 17 pick in 2020, Lamb is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who had career highs in receptions (107), yards (1,359) and touchdowns (9) this season.
“You can tell he’s been playing football just about all his life,” Ward said. “He just knows how to play football. He knows how to get open. He’s a gamer.”
Busy coach: Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans met with Broncos officials in Santa Clara on Thursday about Denver’s head-coaching opening.
Ryans will meet with the Texans on Friday and interview with the Colts and Cardinals next week.
“I know how to keep the main thing the main thing,” Ryans said, “and the main thing this week is the Cowboys.”
Injury report: Defensive end Samson Ebukam (ankle), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee) and wide receiver Jauan Jenknings (ankle) were limited for the second straight day. Cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) remained sidelined.
For the Cowboys, left tackle Jason Peters (hip) did not practice. Pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and safety Jayron Kearse (knee) were limited.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch
