The Houston Texans will place safety Jimmie Ward on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list and running back Joe Mixon on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list as the team finalizes its 53-man roster. Ward’s placement on the PUP list means he will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the regular season.
According to a report from KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Ward has not sufficiently recovered from offseason foot surgery to be activated. The veteran safety, who spent all of training camp on the active/PUP list, is still not healthy enough to practice. The surgery addresses an injury he sustained in Week 16 of last season.
Ward’s future with the team is in jeopardy due to a combination of his injury status, age, and significant off-field legal issues. He has been arrested twice this year, first on a family violence charge and later for violating his bail conditions. Wilson reports that Ward’s case is scheduled to go before a grand jury in September, which could lead to an NFL suspension in addition to any legal outcomes.
The 2025 season is the last year of Ward’s contract, which carries a $2.75 million base salary. Releasing him would cost the Texans $4.63 million in dead cap space.
Houston appears better prepared to manage his absence this season after trading for C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety. The team also has returning starter Calen Bullock and a strong cornerback group featuring Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre, and Kamari Lassiter, leaving Ward’s role on the defense uncertain.
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