Texans Releasing S Jimmie Ward

A veteran signing at the beginning of head coach DeMeco Ryans’ tenure, Ward would start 10 games at safety in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but had his second year cut short by a season-ending foot injury that required surgery. In June 2025, Jimmie Ward was arrested and faced a felony assault charge stemming from alleged family violence, resulting in his placement on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt list in August. He was taken off that list in September after a grand jury decided not to indict him, but Ward remained on the Texans’ Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list for the rest of the 2025 season.

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In his 20 Games with the Houston Texans, Ward tallied:

• 3 Interceptions for 65 yards

• 1 Interception returned for a Touchdown

Ward’s injury in late 2024 and subsequent significant legal issues made him an unlikely member of 2025’s starting cast, and some of general manager Nick Caserio’s moves last offseason made it clear Houston was ready to turn the page. Trading for Eagles’ safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and drafting S Jaylen Reed in the 6th round were the first steps towards moving on, and S Calen Bullock’s improvement sealed the deal. Any shavings of cap space the Texans front office can scrape from the rinds of the roster will be harvested for future contracts, and Ward was an easy target.