Jimmie Ward feels ready for the season with each tackle made in practice. Through four weeks into Houston Texans training camp, he’s had to hold back at times from delivering a crushing blow.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done at times. Earlier in training camp, he collided with All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs. On Wednesday, he tackled Nico Collins and immediately apologized after the hit.
Ward, who just signed a new one-year deal to stick around in Houston past 2024, knows he’ll have plenty of time to make plays as the Texans push themselves into contention status for the 2024 season, so he’ll keep it clean when the Los Angeles Rams arrive Thursday morning for joint practices.
“I still want to go out there and have a great day and I want to just do what my coaches want me to do and play, obviously, my style is physicality,” Ward said Wednesday. “I’m going to just try to keep it clean. I’m going to just keep saying that.”
Los Angeles joins forces with Houston for a day of live reps before the final preseason game on Saturday at noon. Most starters will use this as their final dress rehearsal before the start of the regular season since they won’t play in the finale.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on joint practice with #Rams Thursday and what he expects @KPRC2 quality work, he has a 'ton of respect' for Sean McVay what he doesn't expect to see 'cheap shots' or 'shoving matches' wants them to treat each other like teammates @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/0Dj7fAyhcT
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 21, 2024
For fans, it’s a test of minds. Sean McVay, who enters his eighth season with Los Angeles, is known as one of the brightest offensive minds in the industry. Ryans, who guided Houston to its first postseason appearance in four years last season, has been known as one of the best defensive minds since entering the coaching ranks in 2016.
“We’re excited to have the Rams come in and work with us tomorrow,” Ryans said of the open practice for fans. “It’ll be a lot of situational football. Talking with Coach McVay, we just want to work situations that probably normally wouldn’t come up or things that we can manufacture ourselves to get just good, clean work amongst two really good teams. I’m excited, (and) our guys are excited to work with the Rams.”
Both sides plan to leave it all out on the field, but more importantly, they plan to earn each rep. Some players will be fighting for roster spots and could earn their way onto the 53-man squad with a solid outing.
#Texans – #Rams joint practice today here in Houston. DeMeco Ryans on Los Angeles coach Sean McVey: “He’s always had his team ready to go, and I’m excited for our guys to get a chance to get some different looks, offensively and defensively, so we can strengthen ourselves… pic.twitter.com/jADnncHndc
— Jon Poorman (@JonPoorman) August 22, 2024
Although it’s a new opponent, Ryans doesn’t want the joint practice to be a “shoving match” with details being thrown to the wayside. It’s still a practice and not a fistfight.
“Both teams treat each other like teammates like we would normally practice,” Ryans said. “No cheap shots or anything like that, but it’s about getting good quality work in.
“It’s about getting in good work with different schemes. That’s what it’s all about and we’ll get that work tomorrow.”