Tag: Jimmie Ward Contract

Texans training camp: Rams head to Houston for joint practices

The Houston Texans welcome Los Angeles Rams for a joint practice on Thursday before the preseason finale.

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.

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.

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.”

Texans extend DB Jimmie Ward through 2025 season

Jimmie Ward is sticking around with the Houston Texans through the 2025 season.

Jimmie Ward is sticking around for another season at NRG Stadium.

According to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander, the Houston Texans and the veteran safety agreed to a one-year extension through the 2025 season. Ward, who has been a part of a DeMeco Ryans’ defense since his time in San Francisco, was entering the final year of his two-year deal worth up to $13 million signed back in 2023.

ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime also confirmed the signing. According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson the deal adds $5.25 million in new money to his $8.75 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons.

“He’s a great communicator and Jimmie is versatile,” Ryans said Monday. “He can come down and play man coverage. He can play in the deep half of the field like making plays. Jimmie is a very versatile player and  I think that opens up a variety of things we can do defensively when it comes to gameplan wise.”

Ward, 33, served as the mouthpiece and model for other Texans to learn Ryans’ defense last season. His versatility allowed him to play in multiple coverages and work both safety roles while helping transform Houston into one of the league’s better defenses.

A former first-round pick. Ward was voted team captain by his teammates in his first year with the Texans. He totaled 50 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in 10 games while helping Houston win its first division title in four years.

The only downside to Ward’s physical style of play is the injury concern. He missed time over his nine seasons with the 49ers due to multiple ailments. Last season, he ended up on the injured reserve for seven games, including Houston’s run in the postseason.

The Texans are better with Ward on the back end and third-year safety Jalen Pitre in the slot. The duo has looked impressive in training camp, with Pitre notching his first interception in two years in Saturday’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants.

Houston still should feel good about its depth at safety. Eric Murray flashed in Ryans’ man-heavy scheme opposite either Ward or Pitre at times last season. The Texans also drafted USC’s Calen Bullock, who’s been exceptional in a rotational role with the starters and should be a long-term option for the secondary with second-round pick Kamari Lassiter.

A healthy Ward could be the missing link that sends Houston to the conference championship for the first time in franchise history. His versatility also should serve as insurance regardless of where Ryans lines him up.