Texans take wait-and-see approach to Jimmie Ward’s felony domestic violence case: ‘Let legal situation play itself out’

HOUSTON – As veteran safety Jimmie Ward deals with an active felony domestic violence case involving his son’s mother in Montgomery County, his NFL employer is following a wait-and-see approach to his unresolved legal situation.

While Ward awaits an Aug. 13 initial court date before Judge Lisa Michalk on a third-degree charge of alleged strangulation stemming from an early-morning arrest in June, he remains on the Texans’ roster.

Ward, who isn’t healthy enough to practice due to foot surgery this offseason and is on the active-physically unable to perform list, reported for training camp and is around the team while his case plays out. The NFL is investigating the matter under its personal conduct policy. Depending on how the case is adjudicated, Ward could be suspended by the NFL. Ward threatened to kill the woman and she feared for her life, she alleged in court documents. He is free on $30,000 bail.

Related: Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward arrested for felony domestic violence charge in Montgomery County

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio commented on the arrest for the first time Wednesday as training camp started.

“With Jimmy, it’s unfortunate any time something like that happens and comes out in the news and that happens to one of your players,” said Ryans, who also coached Ward with the San Francisco 49ers and recruited him to join the Texans. “Jimmy is a guy that I’ve known the longest. Since I first started in the NFL I’ve worked with Jimmy. I know the type of guy he is, and we’ll just let the legal situation play itself out.”

A team captain known for his philanthropy in the community, including sponsoring a Trae the Truth bowling event last week for adults with special needs, Ward is represented by Conroe-based attorney Steven Jackson. Jackson told KPRC 2 that his client will be “vindicated” and asked that people “reserve judgment” until Ward can defend himself in court.

Ward, 34, is eligible to play for the Texans once he’s healthy, but it’s unclear whether they plan to have him practice while he’s dealing with his case.

“Yeah, working through that,” Caserio said in response to a question about Ward’s status with the defending AFC South champions. “Kind of let the legal process take care of itself. We have been in contact with the league. We will work with the league. We will be compliant on our end, do the best we can.

“So, I think it’s day-to-day, but kind of let that process kind of take care of itself. Whatever the outcome is we’ll handle it accordingly.”

Ward is under contract after signing a one-year contract extension last year. He originally joined the team in the 2023 offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s office 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 filed an emergency protective order to ensure her immediate safety and provide ongoing protection.

“We believe that Jimmie will be vindicated,” Jackson told KPRC 2. “We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward they all know is the same person and did not do this.”

In an initial appearance video obtained by KPRC 2, Ward said he understood what he was charged with, replying: ‘Yes, ma’am."

In the hearing, Ward was informed he could be sentenced up to 10 years under sentencing guidelines if convicted and a $10,000 fine.

During the reading of the charges, the assistant district attorney said the victim stated that Ward: “slapped her in the face, strangled her and threatened to kill her. She stated that she felt pain in her throat and was unable to breathe before she was able to get him off of her and get out of the house and call 911. Mr. Ward declined to speak with officers and insisted that they speak with his lawyer.”

The judge said she found probable cause and accepted the $30,000 bond requested along with the GPS monitor be installed and the emergency protective order. Ward is not allowed to have any contact, communication or or interaction with the victim. Ward requested a bail hearing and for an opportunity to retrieve personal belongings.

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 early last Thursday.

Texans, NFL respond to allegations

The incident is being reviewed by the NFL under its personal conduct policy, as are all off-field legal matters of this nature. The NFL has wide-ranging disciplinary policies. Normally, a six-game suspension is the punishment in domestic-violence cases.

“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

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, who previously played for Ryans with the 49ers where the Texans coach was the defensive coordinator, is out of a walking boot and running again.

Limited to 10 games overall last season, 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.

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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 in a previous interview prior to the arrest. “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.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com