49ers' Jimmie Ward: Designated to return

The 49ers designated Ward (hamstring) to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday.

Ward will now have a 21-day window to practice before returning to the team's active roster, otherwise, he will be forced to go on season-ending IR. The 31-year-old was placed on IR after suffering a significant hamstring injury in mid-August. Ward recorded 77 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions while playing nearly every defensive snap over 16 games last season, and he should reprise a prominent role at free safety this season.