Sources: Texans safety Jimmie Ward to miss fourth game in a row against Jets, Azeez Al-Shaair, Dameon Pierce out

HOUSTON – Texans veteran safety and team captain Jimmie Ward will miss his fourth game in a row Thursday night against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, according to a league source.

Although Ward’s health has improved and his outlook is positive for a Nov. 10 home game against the Detroit Lions, he only just returned to practice Tuesday for a light workout and was limited.

Ward previously aggravated a preexisting groin injury against the Buffalo Bills. After he went back into the game, the team captain injured the groin injury that prevented him from playing the previous week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Imaging confirmed the damage sustained and Ward hasn’t been able to practice this week. The Texans have been starting Eric Murray, who played well against the Indianapolis Colts with three passes defensed, and rookie safety Calen Bullock, who leads the team with three interceptions.

The Texans later made this move official along with ruling out three other players.

Linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair has missed the past two games with a knee injury suffered against the New England Patriots and will miss his third game in a row. His condition is improving and his outlook for the Detroit game is good, but he was limited in practice Tuesday. The Texans are expected to start Neville Hewitt and Henry To’oTo’o against the Jets. To’oTo’o is back from a concussion and has cleared the NFL protocol. Devin White and Jake Hansen are the backups at linebacker.

Texans center-guard Jarrett Patterson will miss this game after suffering a concussion against the Colts when his helmet collided with linebacker E.J. Speed’s knee.

Texans running back Dameon Pierce is out for this game due to a groin injury and he hasn’t practiced this week. The Texans have Steven Sims Jr., Dare Ogunbowale and Robert Woods for returns. Sims has a 37-yard punt return and a 56-yard kickoff return this season in five games and was inactive against the Colts. At running back, the Texans would lean on Dare Ogunbowale behind starter Joe Mixon and have signed running back J.J. Taylor from the practice squad.

Ward, 33, has played in four games this season and recorded 17 tackles, one for a loss with one pass defensed.

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Ward’s contract was extended by one year through the 2025 season at the start of the season.

It’s a one-year, $10.508 million contract extension.

The contract, which includes a $5.25 million signing bonus, $8.75 million total guaranteed, a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary this year and $2.75 million in 2025 with $2 million of it guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap, ensures the hard-hitting defensive back will be with the defending AFC South champions for a third year next season.

Ward originally signed a two-year, $14.5 million maximum value contract as a free agent a year ago to join the Texans that included a $4 million signing bonus and $8.5 million total guaranteed.

Ward, is a former San Franciso 9ers first-round draft pick from Northern Illinois.

He played in 10 games last season for the Texans and recorded 50 tackles and one interception before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

For his career, Ward has recorded 518 career tackles, eight interceptions, six forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns, two fumble recoveries, 12 tackles for losses and five quarterback hits with 48 passes defensed.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.

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