Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested early Thursday morning on a felony assault charge following allegations of choking a woman during a domestic incident.
Authorities in Montgomery County, Texas, confirmed Ward‘s arrest, which took place at 5:38 a.m. at his residence in Magnolia. The 33-year-old defensive back is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Jail.
According to police reports, the incident stemmed from a disturbance at Ward’s home. While details have not yet been made public, the felony classification of the charge indicates a serious accusation under Texas law, particularly if it involves bodily injury or the use of force such as choking, which can escalate charges to an aggravated level.
The Houston Texans organization issued a brief statement in response to the arrest: “We are aware of the situation involving Jimmie Ward.
We are currently gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.” No further disciplinary action has been announced, but the team is likely to wait for more clarity on the legal process before making any decisions regarding Ward’s future.
Veteran leader faces uncertain NFL future
Ward, who began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, joined the Texans in 2023 under head coach DeMeco Ryans, his former defensive coordinator in San Francisco.
Known for his versatility and leadership, Ward played in 10 games in each of his first two seasons with Houston. He served as a defensive captain and was considered one of the locker room’s most respected voices.
Statistically, Ward contributed three interceptions, 98 tackles, and five tackles for loss over two seasons with Houston.
His solid performance earned him a one-year, $10.5 million contract extension earlier this year, bringing his total deal to nearly $24 million across three seasons. He was expected to play a critical role in a secondary that also includes standout rookie Derek Stingley Jr.
Now, Ward‘s arrest casts doubt over his availability for the 2025 season and potentially his future in the league. His cap hit for the upcoming year is $5.7 million, and if the Texans choose to release him, it would result in $4.6 million in dead cap space-a tough financial pill for a team that has playoff aspirations.
This incident is not isolated within the NFL. Ward‘s arrest comes just months after Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was taken into custody in a separate family violence case.
That case remains under investigation, with Worthy‘s attorneys disputing the claims. These recent incidents have renewed public scrutiny on how the NFL addresses off-field conduct, particularly in cases involving allegations of domestic violence.
If the charges against Ward are substantiated, the NFL could also impose its own disciplinary measures under the league’s personal conduct policy, which does not require a criminal conviction for a suspension to be issued.
At the time of writing, Ward remains in custody, and no court dates have been announced. The Texans, meanwhile, are left to navigate the uncertainty surrounding one of their veteran leaders just weeks before training camp.
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