The Houston Texans signed free agent DB Jimmie Ward, reuniting him with his former defensive coordinator, now head coach DeMeco Ryans. A 10-year veteran with the San Francisco 49ers, Ward brings exactly what Ryans wants into his locker room, leadership and experience in his defensive scheme.
“Initially you want to bring guys in who know exactly how I want things done, how our culture will be set,” Ryans said Monday at the annual NFL spring meeting in Arizona. “You want to bring those guys in but also knowing it doesn’t just work that day. To be able to get a guy like Jimmie Ward is very vital for our defense. Jimmie is a guy, I feel – he plays safety in our scheme. He’s played nickel. Jimmie is a veteran guy who’s played a lot of football.”
Ward has excelled under the bright lights of the NFL. Last year, Ward played in all three postseason games last year for the 49ers, recording 11 tackles (10 solo), one tackle for loss, three passes defensed and two special teams tackles. In 2021 he intercepted Rams QB Matthew Stafford in the NFC Championship game. During the Super Bowl LIV against Kansas City, he tied his career-high with 10 tackles (eight solo). A first-round draft pick (30th overall) in 2014, Ward made a big impact last year in the 49ers top-ranked defense, posting 50 tackles (38 solo), five passes defensed, one forced fumble and a career-high three interceptions during the 2022 regular season.
“With the younger guys that we have, we have a very young group, young nucleus of players who are talented,” Ryans said. “I feel like Jimmie can come in and just help those guys, aside from the football aspect but also just off the field, just how to be a true pro. That’s what Jimmie provides and brings to those guys, and excited to get a guy who can do it and the leadership role he can provide off the field, and on the field Jimmie is still playing football at a high level. So, to add a safety who can make dynamic plays for us was very vital.”
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