Tag: jimmie ward injury

Will Jimmie Ward play today? Latest injury updates for Texans DB

Will Jimmie Ward be back for the Houston Texans in Week 9 against the New York Jets?

With the Houston Texans on a short week, current injured players might be out again if not fully cleared.

That seems to be the case for defensive captain and safety Jimmie Ward, who has remained sidelined for the previous three games after suffering a groin injury in Week 5’s win at home.

Will Ward suit up on “Thursday Night Football” when the Texans take on the New York Jets? Here’s what happened and his current status entering Thursday morning.

Jimmie Ward injury update

Ward suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the team’s Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran defensive back had previously missed Week 4’s over the Jaguars for the same injury but was healthy enough to return after further testing the following week. 

Since leaving NRG Stadium, Ward hasn’t been cleared to play, though the injury was severe enough to land him on the injured reserve.

The Texans have been optimistic surrounding his status, but Ward has either missed practice or been a limited participant since the beginning of the month. 

While Ward did practice on Tuesday, the Texans ruled him out once more before leaving for MetLife Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

He will miss his fourth consecutive game as Houston looks to improve to 7-2 to close out the month of October.

How long will Jimmie Ward be out?

Since Ward practiced on Tuesday, one could assume he’s close to being back at full strength. The Texans will have three days off to recover before beginning Week 10 preparation against the Detroit Lions, which falls on Sunday Night Football and primetime.

It feels likely the window to return is more so in favor of next week rather than Week 11’s showdown on Monday Night Football. He’s missed five games this season because of the issue, but it’s a good sign that he’s nearing the end of his rehab as he returns to practice.

Jimmie Ward stats

In four starts, Ward has 17 tackles and a pass breakup. He remains a defensive backbone of Houston at free safety, but the Texans have managed to go 4-1 without him in the lineup. 

Texans SAF depth chart

With Ward out, the Texans will be down one starter. Calen Bullock, a third-round pick out of USC in the 2024 NFL Draft is expected to start Thursday night opposite Eric Murray.

Here’s the rest of the defensive backs on the active roster:

  • Jalen Pitre
  • Myles Bryant
  • M.J. Stewart

Bullock leads the Texans with three interceptions and is expected to be the long-term replacement for either Murray or Ward beginning in 2025. He could remain a full-time starter after looking promising in the starting role over the past three games.

Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.

Who is inactive for Texans in Week 7 matchup vs. Packers?

Six players are out for the Houston Texans on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

The Houston Texans are down five defensive starters for Sunday’s contest at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

Linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o, plus cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Jimmie Ward were all officially out for Sunday’s matchup against the Packers, according to the team’s Friday injury report. The four appeared on the inactive list, along with return man Steven Sims and veteran receiver Robert Woods.

Al-Shaair suffered a knee injury in the first half of Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots. Neville Hewitt, best known for his special teams ability, will start as the team’s MIKE backer opposite either Jake Hansen or fifth-round pick Jamal Hill.

To’oTo’o exited the game late in the fourth quarter after making a tackle on a punt return. He entered the league’s concussion protocol and didn’t practice throughout the week. Hansen filled in for the final eight minutes of Sunday’s matchup.

“Neville and Jake have been here with us for a while,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They have gotten a lot of reps. They know how we play, they know what to expect, they know how to communicate. It is nothing new to them. If they have to go out and give snaps, I feel confident in those guys being able to step up and help us.”

Sims was a late addition to the injury report after suffering a back injury. In his place, Houston elevated Desmond King from the practice squad to likely serve as the punt returner and add depth to Houston’s secondary.

Receivers Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson could also be used heavily in special teams as returners.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans vs. Packers, Week 7 injury report: Thursday

Here’s the injury report from Thursday’s practice in preparation for the Houston Texans’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers from Thursday’s practice ahead of their Week 7 matchup at Lambeau Field:

Houston Texans (4-1)

Did not practice

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • WR Robert Woods (foot)
  • CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder)
  • LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (groin)
  • DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder)

Limited participation

  • RB Joe Mixon (ankle)
  • LB Del’Shawn Phillips (hip)

Full participation

  • OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle)

Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Did not practice

  • DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)

Limited participation

  • CB Jaire Alexander (groin)
  • DL Kenny Clark (toe)
  • TE  Tucker Kraft (groin)
  • C Josh Myers (ankle)
  • WR Jayden Reed (ankle)
  • WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder)
  • WR Christian Watson (ankle)
  • OL Elton Jenkins (knee)
  • DL Colby Wooden (knee)

Full participant

  • DL Jonathan Ford (calf)

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The Packers open as a -2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.
With a win, the Texans would be off to their best start since 2012. For Green Bay, a victory would leave it in third place behind both the Detriot Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

Texans receive negative update on DB Jimmie Ward

Houston Texans defensive back Jimmie Ward is out for the remainder of Sunday’s contest against the Buffalo Bills.

The Houston Texans must continue Sunday’s contest without Jimmie Ward.

Ward was ruled out entering the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills with a groin injury. Receiver Nico Collins and running back British Brooks were also ruled out due to injury.

On the game’s opening play. Ward made contact with Bills running back James Cook’s head and appeared to immediately go limp. He was checked out by trainers before walking off the field under his own pressure.

After being cleared for a concussion, Ward returned to the game. Last week, Ward was dealing with a groin injury and did not play in the Texans’ 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The rookie class is getting ample reps in what feels like a race to second place in the AFC standings. Kamari Lassiter is a full-time starter at cornerback, but Blake Fisher is starting in place of the injured Tytus Howard.

Third-round pick Calen Bullock will take over for the Ward opposite veteran Eric Murray for the rest of the afternoon.

The Texans (3-1) currently lead 20-10 over the Bills (3-1) entering the fourth quarter.