Jimmie Ward’s 2024 season has come to an early end, mirroring his 2023 campaign, as he has been placed on injured reserve following a foot injury. Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that Ward will undergo season-ending surgery after being carted off during the team’s 27-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the injury, Ward is expected to make a full recovery and should be cleared for offseason workouts. His absence will leave a significant hole in the Texans’ defense as they prepare for a Christmas Day matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ward’s injury occurred just before halftime when he attempted to tackle Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt. The veteran defensive back landed awkwardly on his foot and was immediately taken to the locker room for further evaluation. He later traveled back with the team, but the injury was severe enough to require surgery, effectively ending his season.
Ward’s absence will be especially challenging for the Texans because of his versatility in the defensive backfield. Initially starting the season at safety, Ward was forced to move to the nickel position after Jalen Pitre, a third-year starter, suffered a season-ending injury. This shift allowed Ward to continue contributing at a high level, but now the Texans will need to adjust once more without him.
To fill the void, the Texans have several options. Rookie Kamari Lassiter, drafted with the intent to start at nickel, has already seen action in that role after Ward’s injury. The Texans could also shift former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah to the outside cornerback spot opposite Derek Stingley Jr. Another possibility is starting Myles Bryant inside while keeping Lassiter on the edge to handle one-on-one matchups.
In 2024, Ward finishes his season with 48 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions over 10 games. Despite his strong individual performance, his injury leaves the Texans with a difficult challenge as they look to continue their playoff push without one of their key defensive players. The team’s next game against the Baltimore Ravens will take place at NRG Stadium on Christmas Day at 3:30 p.m.
