Ward (quadriceps) recorded 50 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble over 10 games in 2023.
Ward, a team captain, was beset by injuries all season long. He missed time due to hip, hamstring and shoulder injuries before a quadricep ended his season in December. In between the setbacks, Ward played well, and his one interception was an end-zone pick that sealed a win over Denver. Houston went 6-4 in games he played and could use his stabilizing presence on the back end. Ward turns 33 in July and will be entering his 11th season.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Good to go versus Cleveland
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Ward (concussion) carries no injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.
Ward was a full participant in Thursday's practice and has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. He sustained the concussion in Week 15 against the Titans but will not miss any time. Ward has 49 tackles (32 solo), one interception and one forced fumble in nine games this season.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Ward (concussion) was a limited participant in practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session.
The safety left last Sunday's win over the Titans with the concussion, but now he may be trending toward a return for the Texans' Week 16 matchup with the Browns. Ward has 49 tackles, three passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble in 2023.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Out for Week 10
Rotowire
Ward (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Ward did not participate at practice this week, so it's little surprise that he won't suit up Sunday. Grayland Arnold could start at safety in Ward's place against the pass-heavy Bengals.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Leaves with injury
Rotowire
Ward has exited Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a hamstring injury.
Ward was replaced by M.J. Stewart, who subsequently suffered a shoulder injury, now leaving the Texans depleted at safety. In their absence, DeAndre Houston-Carson has stepped in at strong safety. Ward is considered questionable to return.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Records seven tackles in win
Rotowire
Ward recorded seven tackles (five solo) in the Texans' Week 6 win over the Saints Sunday.
After missing the first two games of the season with a hip injury, Ward has started the last four contests and has 25 tackles and one pass breakup to his name in that span. The 32-year-old Ward was one of the Niners to follow coach DeMeco Ryans to Houston.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Gets in full practice
Rotowire
Ward (hip) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
After he missed both of Houston's first two games, it looks like Ward will be available to suit up for Week 3. He figures to start at safety at Jacksonville.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Not playing Week 2
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The Texans ruled out Ward (hip) for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Ward already missed the team's Week 1 loss to Baltimore and will now have to wait at least another week before making his debut with the Texans. With Jalen Pitre (chest) also ruled out, Houston will be without both starting safeties, and M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray will likely start instead.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Still sidelined
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Ward (hip) is not practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Ward was unable to suit up Week 1 against the Ravens and appears to still not be ready to take the field. The veteran safety will likely need to return to practice Thursday if he's going to suit up against the Colts on Sunday. However, if he's unable to, Eric Murray should get the start at strong safety again.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Day-to-day with groin injury
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Ward (groin) is considered day-to-day prior to the Texans' Week 1 matchup with the Ravens on Sunday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ward did not practice Wednesday as he continues to nurse a groin injury that has been bothering him this past week. The safety still has two more chances to return to practice ahead of Houston's regular-season opener with Baltimore.
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Texans' Jimmie Ward: Following Ryans to Houston
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Ward agreed to a contract with the Texans on Monday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reports.
Ward's deal won't become official until the new league year begins Wednesday, and the exact terms have yet to be disclosed. The veteran safety spent his first nine seasons in San Francisco, racking up 200 tackles over the past three campaigns. Ward will reunite with DeMeco Ryans, who will serve as Houston's head coach after spending the previous two seasons as the 49ers' defensive coordinator.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Productive in victory
Rotowire
Ward notched eight tackles (six solo), a pass defensed and forced a fumble in Sunday's 35-7 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Ward's eight stops were his highest on the season, as were his 68 defensive snaps. The veteran safety has had an up and down year, including missing multiple weeks due to a broken hand. He'll work to fill the stat sheet again Thursday against the Seahawks.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Will undergo surgery Tuesday
Rotowire
Ward will have a surgery to repair a broken left hand Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
San Francisco will wait until that surgery is complete to project a timeline for Ward's return. He could potentially play in a cast, but Tashaun Gipson will continue to start in Ward's absence until the veteran safety is ready to play again.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: May miss season opener
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Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Ward suffered a "pretty bad" hamstring injury during Sunday's practice and there's a chance he'll miss Week 1 of the regular season, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
This is a tough break for Ward, who's coming off his best statistical season of his career. His increased production was likely a product of his ability to stay on the field for 16 games after periodically being sidelined by injuries to start his career. If he's forced to miss regular-season contests, expect Tarvarius Moore to step into an expanded role to start the season.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Activated by San Francisco
Rotowire
The 49ers activated Ward (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Ward landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday after he tested positive for the virus. However, he'll now be cleared to rejoin the team and will be available for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Rams.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Ready to play Monday
Rotowire
Ward (quadriceps) is active for Monday's game against the Rams.
Ward missed last week's loss to the Cardinals and was questionable for Monday Night Football, but he's been cleared to take the field. The 30-year-old should reclaim his starting role at free safety for the 49ers.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Will not play Sunday
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Ward (quadriceps) will not play Sunday against Arizona, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Ward picked up the injury Sunday against the Bears, but it was originally thought he might be able to play in Week 9. This is a big blow to a 49ers secondary that is already missing multiple pieces. Tavon Wilson will likely see a large increase in snaps while Ward is on the shelf.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Clear of concussion for Week 17
Rotowire
Ward (concussion) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Seattle, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.
Ward sustained his concussion during a Week 15 loss to the Cowboys, and he was deemed unavailable last Sunday as San Francisco upset Arizona on the road. A trio of full practices from Ward this week indicated he was in line for his 14th start of the season against Seattle. Now, the 29-year-old's return remains imminent as San Francisco's secondary prepares for a matchup against Russell Wilson and a a strong Seattle passing attack.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Practices without limitations
Rotowire
Ward (concussion) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
It's unclear if Ward has cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol. He's certainly on the right track for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after Wednesday's full practice. If the 29-year-old can, indeed, play, he'll return to a starting role at free safety. Ward will look to add to the career-high 69 tackles he's accumulated through 13 games.
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49ers' Jimmie Ward: Sits out practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Ward (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
Ward is in the league's five-step concussion protocol. The 29-year-old has one more practice to get on the field, but he's trending in the wrong direction for Saturday's game versus the Cardinals. If Ward's in fact out, expect Tarvarius Moore (knee) to slot in as the 49ers' starting free safety.
