Jimmie Ward
No. 20 – Houston Texans | |||
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Position: | Safety | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | July 18, 1991||
Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Davidson (Mobile, Alabama) | ||
College: | Northern Illinois (2010–2013) | ||
NFL draft: | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30 | ||
Career history | |||
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Roster status: | Active | ||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
James Ward (born July 18, 1991) is an American football safety[1] for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northern Illinois, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Early years
Born in
Ward was considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.[2]
College career
Ward attended
Professional career
Pre-draft
Coming out of Northern Illinois, Ward was projected to be a first or second round pick by the majority of
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 ft 10+5⁄8 in (1.79 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
31 in (0.79 m) |
9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.47 s | 1.56 s | 2.54 s | 4.24 s | 6.89 s | 38 in (0.97 m) |
10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) |
9 reps | 17 |
All values from |
San Francisco 49ers
2014
The
Ward competed with
Ward made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the
Ward finished his rookie year with 20 combined tackles (19 solo) and two pass deflections in eight games.
2015
Ward returned to the 49ers and was again named the backup free safety to Eric Reid under new head coach Jim Tomsula.
Ward made his first NFL start during the season-opener against the Vikings and recorded a tackle in a 20–3 victory. During Week 5, he had eight combined tackles during a 30–27 road loss to the New York Giants. During Week 13, Ward made two combined tackles, deflected a pass, and his first career interception off of a pass attempt by Jay Cutler during a 26–20 road victory over the Bears. He also scored his first NFL touchdown during the game, after he returned his interception for 29-yards. Two weeks later against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ward made six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first NFL sack on Andy Dalton as the 49ers lost 24–14.[14] On January 3, 2016, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles and defended a pass in a 19–16 overtime win over the St. Louis Rams.
Ward finished his second season with career-high 57 combined tackles (48 solo), six pass deflections, a sack, an interception, and a touchdown in 16 games and eight started.
2016
Throughout his first two seasons, Ward was a backup free safety and was tasked with covering the slot. Head coach Chip Kelly was hired to replace Tomsula after the 49ers finished with a 5–11 record the previous season. In training camp, Ward was converted to a full-time cornerback and competed Kenneth Acker, Dontae Johnson, and Chris Davis for the job as the starting cornerback.[16] Ward was named the starting cornerback, opposite Tramaine Brock, to begin the 2016 season.[17]
Ward started the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and collected three solo tackles and two pass deflections during a 28–0 shutout victory. Two weeks later against the Seattle Seahawks, he made a tackle and defended a pass during an 37–18 road loss. Unfortunately, Ward suffered a quad injury during a special teams play and was unable to play from Weeks 4–6.[18] During Week 10, Ward made seven solo tackles and a season-high four pass deflections, as the 49ers lost to the Cardinals on the road by a score of 23–20. During Week 14 against the Jets, Ward had a career game as he recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles, deflected three passes, intercepted a pass attempt from quarterback Bryce Petty, and had his first sack of the season in the 23–17 overtime loss.[19] In the next game, Ward recorded two solo tackles during a 41–13 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He left the game after suffering a fractured clavicle.[20] On December 20, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.[21]
Ward finished his third season with a total of 53 combined tackles (43 solo), a career-high 12 pass deflections, a sack, and an interception in 11 games and 10 starts. Kelly was fired after posting a 2–14 season in 2016.[14]
2017
On May 1, 2017, the 49ers picked up the fifth-year option on Ward's rookie contract, paying him a salary of $8.52 million for the 2018 season.
On September 17, 2017, Ward made his season debut and recorded five combined tackles and deflected a pass in a 12–9 road loss to the Seahawks. The following week, he made his first start as a free safety and collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a narrow 41–39 loss to the Rams. During Week 8, Ward made three combined tackles in a 33–10 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He left the game after suffering a fractured forearm.[25] On November 1, 2017, Ward was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.[26]
Ward finished the 2017 season with a total of 32 combined tackles (27 solo) and a pass deflection in six starts and seven games.[14] Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 46.9, ranking him 77th among all qualified safeties in 2017.[27]
2018–2022
In 2018, Ward played in nine games with seven starts, recording 24 tackles and a forced fumble. During a Week 12 27–9 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ward suffered a broken forearm.[28] He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2018.[29]
On March 13, 2019, Ward signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension with the 49ers.[30] In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Ward recorded a team high 11 tackles during the 31–20 loss.[31]
On March 24, 2020, Ward signed a three-year, $28.5 million contract extension with the 49ers.[32] In Week 12 against the Rams, Ward forced fumbles on Jared Goff and Malcolm Brown that were both recovered by the 49ers during the 23–20 win.[33]
In the divisional round against the Packers in 2021, Ward blocked a 39-yard field goal attempted by the Packers kicker, Mason Crosby.[34] This was also the first season since 2016 in which Ward intercepted a pass.
On August 31, 2022, Ward was placed on injured reserve.[35] He was activated on October 8.[36] Ward was moved to nickel cornerback with the emerging play of safety Tashaun Gipson.[37]
Houston Texans
On March 18, 2023, Ward signed a two-year contract with the
Ward missed the first two games of the 2023 season due to a hip injury.
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
2014 | SF | 8 | 0 | 20 | 19 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2015 | SF | 16 | 8 | 57 | 48 | 9 | 1.0 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
2016 | SF | 11 | 10 | 53 | 43 | 10 | 1.0 | 12 | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
2017 | SF | 7 | 6 | 32 | 27 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 43 | — |
2018 | SF | 9 | 7 | 24 | 19 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
2019 | SF | 13 | 13 | 64 | 51 | 14 | 1.0 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2020 | SF | 14 | 14 | 73 | 45 | 28 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
2021 | SF | 16 | 16 | 77 | 51 | 26 | — | 6 | 2 | 27 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
2022 | SF | 12 | 5 | 50 | 38 | 12 | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
2023 | HOU | 9 | 9 | 49 | 32 | 17 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Career | 115 | 88 | 500 | 373 | 127 | 3.0 | 47 | 8 | 64 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 43 | — |
Postseason
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
2019 |
SF | 3 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
2021 |
SF | 3 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — |
2022 |
SF | 3 | 0 | 13 | 12 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Career | 9 | 6 | 47 | 36 | 11 | — | 4 | 1 | 23 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
References
- ^ "Texans To Play Jimmie Ward At Safety". Pro Football Rumors.
- ^ "Jimmie Ward - Yahoo Sports". Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
- ^ "NIU's Jordan Lynch, Jimmie Ward are AP All-Americans". Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
- ^ Dan Wiederer (March 7, 2014). "Jimmie Ward impresses NFL scouts at Northern Illinois pro day". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "Jimmie Ward, DS #2 SS, Northern Illinois". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Mike Mayock (March 14, 2014). "Mike Mayock's updated position rankings for 2014 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 prospects for 2014 NFL draft". si.com. May 1, 2014. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "Jimmie Ward Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ "2014 Draft Scout Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "49ers pick Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois with no trade up". Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Jimmie Ward contract". spotrac.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "Ourlads.com: San Francisco 49ers depth chart: 10/01/2014". ourlads.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "NFL Player Profile: Jimmie Ward". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Mike Chiari (November 15, 2014). "Jimmie Ward Injury: Updates on 49ers DB's Foot and Recovery". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "Ourlad.com: San Francisco 49ers' depth chart: 08/01/2016". ourlads.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Rotowire.com (August 23, 2016). "49ers' Jimmie Ward: Solidifying role as starting CB". cbssports.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Rob Goldberg (September 25, 2016). "Jimmie Ward Injury: Updates on 49ers CB's Quad and Return". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ "NFL Game Center: Week 14-2016: New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers". nfl.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Chris Biderman (December 21, 2016). "49ers face long-term questions about Jimmie Ward's durability". ninerswire.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "49ers Place DB Jimmie Ward on IR, Announce Additional Roster Moves". 49ers.com. December 20, 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "49ers Exercise Fifth-year Option on DB Jimmie Ward". 49ers.com. May 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ Cam Inman (August 24, 2017). "49ers Jimmie Ward back at his 'natural position". Mercurynews.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ James Brady (September 9, 2017). "49ers-Panthers: The case for both Lorenzo Jerome and Jaquiski Tartt to fill Jimmie Ward's spot". ninersnation.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ David Fucillo (October 29, 2017). "Jimmie Ward suffers fractured arm in 49ers loss to Eagles". ninersnation.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018.
- ^ "Pro Football Focus: Jimmie Ward". ProFootballFocus.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ Wagoner, Nick (November 25, 2018). "49ers safety Jimmie Ward breaks forearm again". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "San Francisco 49ers re-sign Jimmie Ward, per report". 247Sports.com. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ "Mahomes leads Chiefs' rally past 49ers in Super Bowl, 31-20". www.espn.com. Associated Press. February 2, 2020. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ Crabtree, Curtis (March 17, 2020). "Reports: Jimmie Ward agrees to three-year, $28.5 million deal with 49ers". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams - November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "49ers vs. Packers - Play-By-Play - January 22, 2022 - ESPN". Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ "49ers Move Two to IR; Waive RB; Announce Practice Squad and Other Moves". 49ers.com. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
- ^ "49ers Activate Ward; Place McKivitz on IR and Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. October 8, 2022. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ "Ward's versatility at safety, nickel corner 'huge' for 49ers". December 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-18-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. Houston Texans Public Relations. March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Dougherty, Drew (September 4, 2023). "Texans name four 2023 team captains". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Houston Texans Injuries". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Deepi (September 20, 2023). "Laremy Tunsil, Jimmie Ward return to practice". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Deepi (September 25, 2023). "Jimmie Ward's impact in long-awaited Texans debut". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Deepi (October 2, 2023). "Dynamic safety duo Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward start first game together, force a pair of fumbles in a win". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Koch, Josh (December 3, 2023). "Jimmie Ward seal victory with Interception". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Houston Texans Public Relations (December 26, 2023). "Houston Texans Transactions (12-26-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved December 27, 2023.