The Houston Texans have been forced into piecemealing their secondary amid a slew of injuries this season, including not having veteran safety Jimmie Ward at any point heading into Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for the Texans, that may not change anytime soon.
Ward is currently on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a knee injury, and there have been few updates provided on his status.
The latest does not bode well for Ward or the Texans.
Jimmie Ward Not Expected Back for Texans ‘Any Time Soon’
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans takes the field against the Miami Dolphins.
Ward, 34, is in his 12th NFL season, and his third with the Texans. That is, he will be once he returns to the field. However, it remains unclear when that might be, if at all this season.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander painted a bleak picture of Ward’s outlook.
“He’s been out for some time and was expected to return soon,” Alexander wrote on November 12. “He had been seen last month working off to the side, and was spotted in the locker room on a couple of occasions. But I haven’t seen him since.
“A source told me Wednesday morning that they don’t expect Ward, who is dealing with a foot injury, back any time soon.”
The Texans have the NFL’s No. 1 scoring and total defense. They rank fourth against the pass.
However, the Texans cut offseason trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and they lost replacement starter M.J. Stewart to a season-ending quad tear suffered in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Texans Forced Into Shuffling Back End
GettyM.J. Stewart #29 of the Houston Texans sustains an injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans still have 2022 second-round selection Jalen Pitre, a safety by trade who they can play alongside second-year third-rounder Calen Bullock.
Pitre is also the team’s starting nickelback, though.
The Texans could turn to rookie sixth-round pick Jaylen Reed, or even former New England Patriots undrafted free agent Myles Bryant, who filled in for the Texans after Stewart’s injury against the Jaguars.
Ward was a first-round pick in the 2014 draft, selected with the 30th overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
That is where he first encountered Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Ryans was on the 49ers’ coaching staff in various capacities, including defensive coordinator, from 2017 through 2022. When Ryans left San Francisco for Houston, Ward followed, signing with the Texans in free agency.
DeMeco Ryans Vocal With Support for Jimmie Ward
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans celebrates with teammates against the Detroit Lions.
Ryans showed his bond and belief in Ward, standing behind the embattled veteran amid his previous legal woes.
Ryans pushed the idea of not rushing to judgment on Ward.
“I know there are a lot of allegations and things with Jimmie. We don’t know the true story of all those, and I hate to jump to rush judgment on any situation, right, with Jimmie. We’ll let the situation play itself out. Let whatever has to happen in the court system, let that play out,” Ryans told reporters in August.
“I think it’s unfair to rush to judgment when allegations and stories come out on players. Everybody’s quick to jump on it and jump on the negative side with the players. Let’s just allow it to play out, and we’ll see what happens when everything is over.”
Ward was eventually cleared of his legal issues, leaving his recovery from injury as the only hurdle stopping his return to the field for the Texans.
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