(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans appear to have a new Jimmie from San Francisco. It's with the "ie" instead of "y" and he plays safety instead of quarterback.
Former 49ers safety Jimmie Ward is expected to sign a free agent deal with the Texans, according to multiple media reports Monday evening.
Ward, 31, has spent all of his previous nine NFL seasons with San Francisco, including the last two under current Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans as his defensive coordinator.
It was expected Ward and the Niners might part ways after he publicly criticized their decision to move him from safety to nickel cornerback.
Last year, Ward had three interceptions, five passes defended, a forced fumble, two quarterback hits and 50 tackles. Five of his seven career interceptions are over the last two seasons.
With Houston, he fills a need alongside safety Jalen Pitre, who had a standout rookie season last year (PFWA All-Rookie Team). It would fortify a secondary that already includes Pitre, with cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr., Steven Nelson and nickel corner Desmond King II.
Ward also joins defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway as the latest former Niners defensive player to join their former defensive coordinator in Houston. In total, Ward played six years and was a captain with Ryans coaching a variety of roles on defense.
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