Texans’ Jimmie Ward Under Scrutiny After Domestic Incident Leads to Arrest

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Texans safety Jimmie Ward is facing a felony assault family violence charge in Montgomery County following an incident at his home in Magnolia early Thursday.

According to information from the Montgomery County Jail, Ward was accused of choking someone and arrested on the scene around 5:30 a.m.

Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ward’s home early Thursday where they met with the complainant, whose name was not released. She alleges that she was assaulted, choked and threatened by Ward. An emergency protective order was filed in the case at the request of the complainant.

Ward was released Thursday afternoon on $30,000 bond.

Efforts to reach Ward’s agent were unsuccessful, and it was unclear if he had an attorney representing him.

“We are aware of the report involving Jimmie Ward,” Omar Majzoub, the senior director of communications for the Texans, said in a statement. “We are gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”

Ward, who signed with the Texans in the 2023 offseason, is under contract through 2025. The team added another year to his then expiring contract last year. He is owed $4.5 million, and has $5.6 million cap number.

The 33-year-old safety was a key piece in helping to turn the Texans around from a 3-13-1 team in 2022 to a 11-8 playoff team in 2023. He played under coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco and brought with him a toughness and intensity the Texans needed.

He played in 10 games and finished with 48 tackles and two interceptions last season.

But he suffered a sprained foot in December last season before having season-ending surgery. He has not participated in any offseason workouts, nor was he spotted at this week’s mandatory minicamp, as he continues to work his way back.

He has been in the building getting treatment this offseason.

Known for his impassioned speeches and hard hitting, Ward was voted a team captain for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was expected to take on somewhat a reduced role with the addition of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, and the emergence of second-year safety Calen Bullock.

The alleged incident is likely a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Under the policy, players, coaches and staff are prohibited from engaging in “illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible actions” that could harm the reputation of the league.

Ward could face disciplinary action.

“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, said. “We have no further comment at this time.”