HOUSTON – Houston Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward was arrested and charged with felony assault and family violence charge stemming from an altercation at his home in Magnolia, according to law enforcement officials.
The 33-year-old NFL star was arrested at roughly 5:30 a.m. and he is now free on a $30,000 bail set by a magistrate Thursday afternoon.
Montgomery County deputies were called to a home located in the North Grove subdivision, located off FM 2978 in Magnolia about an assault in progress.
Deputies said the victim alleged she had been assaulted, strangled, and threatened by her fiancé, identified as Ward.
Ward was transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail and booked on charges of Assault Family Violence Impeding Breath/Circulation, a third-degree felony under Texas law.
The victim also filed an Emergency Protective Order to ensure her immediate safety and provide ongoing protection.
Texans, NFL respond to allegations
The Texans are in the process of getting more details about the situation.
“We are aware of the report involving Jimmie Ward,” a team spokesman told KPRC 2. “We are gathering information and have no further comment at this time.”
The incident will be reviewed by the NFL under its personal conduct policy, as are all off-field legal matters of this nature.
“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told KPRC 2. “We have no further comment at this time.”
Jimmie Ward’s athletic career
Ward, voted a Texans team captain in balloting from teammates each of the past two seasons since joining the team in free agency from the San Francisco 49ers, hasn’t been practicing due to offseason foot surgery, but has been projected to return by training camp, per coach DeMeco Ryans earler this spring. Ward has been rehabbing from his injury at NRG Stadium.
The Texans traded for veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and have installed him as their starting strong safety opposite starting free safety Calen Bullock.
Ward is out of a walking boot and running again.
“Jimmie’s doing fine,” Ryans said earlier this spring. “Jimmie is on the road to recovery as well. He’s doing fine. He is out of his boot now. He starting to get back to get to running a little bit. So, he’s in a good spot.”
Limited to 10 games overall, Ward was effective when he was in the lineup with 48 tackles, five for losses, two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. Ward was a key piece of the defense as the replacement for standout nickel Jalen Pitre. Since replacing Pitre in the lineup, Ward returned the interception for a touchdown and recorded 24 tackles with four for losses and two passes defensed over the last month of the season.
Before the season, Ward signed a one-year, $10.302 million extension that included a $5.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed. He’s due a $2.75 million base salary in 2025 with $2 million of it fully guaranteed, per game active roster bonuses up to $500,000, and $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives for playing time. He has a $5.669 million salary cap figure.
Ward has been limited to 20 games for the Texans over the past two seasons due to injuries.
Ward has started 99 of 126 career games since being drafted by the 49ers in 2014 and has four career interceptions and 549 tackles.
“Jimmie is a great football player,” Ryans said previously. “I love Jimmie. I love how he plays the game. Whenever Jimmie is ready, I know Jimmie can help our football team win games. We saw him make game-changing plays for us, big-time plays and big moments.
“Whenever he’s out there, he’ll do it. He’s a football player. So what I love about him, he’s played multiple spots in the defense. So, I’m excited to see just whenever he is ready. It doesn’t hurt to have a lot of good safeties on the team."
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
