Texans' Jimmie Ward Placed on Commissioner Exempt List Following Arrests

The Houston Texans will be without veteran safety Jimmie Ward for the foreseeable future, as the NFL has placed him on the Reserve/Commissioner Exempt List following two arrests in Texas. The move, announced on Tuesday, prohibits Ward from participating in team practices or attending games, effectively putting his season on hold.

Ward, 34, was arrested in June on a felony charge for allegedly assaulting and threatening a woman. He was arrested a second time in August on a felony warrant for violating his bail conditions from the initial incident. The Commissioner Exempt List is a special status used by the NFL in "unusual circumstances," with Commissioner Roger Goodell determining the duration of the player's time away from the team. While on the list, Ward will continue to be paid, but his absence creates a significant void in the Texans' secondary.

The veteran safety has not practiced with the team during training camp, as he was already on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a foot injury. Ward, a 2014 first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, had a productive season for the Texans in 2024, recording 48 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games, all of which were starts. The loss of his on-field presence and veteran leadership is a major blow to the Texans' defense as they prepare for the regular season. The team will now have to find a way to fill the void left by his absence, both in practice and during games, until the legal process plays out and the NFL makes a final determination on his status.