20 Jimmie Ward CB

Ward is re-signing with the 49ers on Monday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio reports.

The 28-year-old expressed an interest in returning to the 49ers early in the offseason if he could remain at safety, and the team is apparently happy to oblige. Ward didn't have an interception in 13 regular-season games last season, but he had a career-high 65 tackles (51 solo), one sack and received an 84.9 grade as a safety from Pro Football Focus.

Ward, an unrestricted free agent, said that he is willing to return to San Francisco, but only if he remains a safety, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ward turned in one of the best campaigns of his six-year career, finishing the regular season with 65 tackles (51 solo), eight passes defended and a sack in 13 games following a preseason finger injury. The 2014 first-round pick served as the team's starting free safety in Robert Saleh's dominant defense after being moved back and forth between safety and corner in previous regimes. Pro Football Focus gave Ward the best grade of his career as a safety (84.9), so it's not surprising that he wants to stick at the position that gave him the most success. The 28-year-old's stipulation could limit his potential suitors in the upcoming free-agent market, but he will definitely be in demand, as good coverage safeties are tough to come by, even with Ward's checkered injury history.

Ward racked up seven tackles, one sack and one pass breakup during Monday's 36-26 victory over the Cardinals.

Ward didn't miss a snap Sunday despite a brief injury scare, and he's now averaging 5.1 tackles per game since making his season debut in Week 5. Considering that was his first sack in three years, it's unlikely there will be many more of those to follow.

Ward will draw the start at free safety for Monday's contest against Cleveland, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ward has yet to suit up in any regular-season action to date, but as evidenced by this news, will be thrust into the starting role for his 2019 debut. The 2014 first-round pick will form a daunting safety tandem with Jaquiski Tartt and will be tasked with slowing down the dynamic Cleveland offense. Even though It's a good sign for Ward's playing time that he's starting, it's still unclear if he's in line to log a majority of snaps at the position ahead of Tarvarius Moore.

Ward (hand) is not on Thursday's injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ward appears to have gotten fully healthy during the 49ers' bye week. He's on track to make his season debut versus the Browns on Sunday and will likely play a rotational or depth role in San Francisco's secondary.

Ward (hand) was officially listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Ward logged limited practice time throughout the week, suggesting he was trending in the right direction, but that's obviously not the case. Ward had been dealing with a broken finger that cost him the first two games, and now that he's out, Antone Exum is the only healthy depth safety for the game.

Ward (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

After not practicing at all Wednesday, Ward was limited in practice for the rest of the week, which does show he is trending in the right direction. However, it looks like Ward may end up being a game-time decision this weekend after missing the first two games of the regular season with a broken finger.

Ward (hand) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Ward didn't practice in any capacity Wednesday, so his limited status Thursday bodes somewhat well for whether he'll play in Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old missed the first two games of the season with this hand issue.

Ward (hand) did not practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ward has failed to play in each of the first two weeks of the regular season, and after logging limited practice time during last week's preparation, he is back on the sidelines Wednesday. Ward's absence isn't a good sign for his status going forward, but it's still relatively early in the week.

Ward (hand) was officially listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Ward was only able to log limited practice time during the week, and won't be able to suit up for Week 2. The 28-year-old is still working back from a broken finger that required surgery Sep. 6, and has yet to make his 2019 debut. With Ward sidelined, Antone Exum is expected to see a bump in snaps for Sunday's game.

Ward (hand) is considered questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ward was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday and missed last Sunday's season opener with this injury. The 28-year-old underwent surgery Sep. 6 to repair a broken finger. If Ward can't suit up Sunday, Antone Exum would be left as the only backup safety for San Francisco.

Ward (hand) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Ward had surgery Sept. 6 to repair a broken finger, but the 49ers haven't put a timeline on his return to the lineup. His status likely depends on a combination of how well Ward's finger can be protected and how well he can perform starting free safety duties with that protection. Until Ward returns, expect Tarvarius Moore to continue logging a heavy workload.

Ward has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against Tampa Bay due to a hand injury, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Ward underwent surgery to repair a broken finger Wednesday. While we know that the 28-year-old will miss Week 1, it's unclear how much time he'll subsequently be sidelined. Ward seems to have a tight grasp on the starting free safety role in San Francisco's secondary, but it seems that Tarvarius Moore will start in his place for now.

Ward underwent surgery on his broken finger Wednesday and is not a lock to play Sunday versus the Buccaneers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ward may be able to suit up Week 1 with a cast, but his chances will likely come down to how quickly he rebounds from undergoing surgery. The veteran safety still appears to have a tenuous grasp on a starting gig in San Francisco's secondary, and his role could be further at risk if injuries continue to muddle his availability.

Ward suffered a broken finger during Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Ward did not practice Thursday, and his chances of suiting up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Buccaneers are murky at best. He'll likely need to participate in Friday's practice in some capacity to have a shot at playing Week 1.

Ward (collarbone) has been cleared for team drills and full contact, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ward isn't guaranteed to start in 2019, so it certainly benefits him to get in a game or two prior to the start of the regular season. His first chance to take part arrives Saturday against the Chiefs.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Friday that Ward (collarbone) will have to compete for the starting free safety job with Tarvarius Moore upon his return, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Ward is slowly making his way back from a fractured collarbone, as he began participating in individual drills this week. 49ers' coaches appear to like what they have been seeing out of Moore in the meantime, however, so whenever Ward is a full go again, he will have plenty of work cut out for him before the start of the regular season.

Ward (collarbone) participated in individual drills during Wednesday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ward donned full pads for the first time in training camp Wednesday while wearing a non-contact jersey, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The veteran safety is working his way back from a fractured collarbone and is expected to start in San Francisco's secondary when fully healthy.

Ward (collarbone) will undergo X-rays this week to determine whether he can be cleared to practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Ward was removed from the PUP list at the end of July but has yet to practice fully as he returns from a broken collarbone. The 28-year-old has been targeting a mid-to-late-August return and currently appears on track with that timetable.

Ward (collarbone) was activated to San Francisco's active roster from the PUP list Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Barrows also reports that while Ward has been activated, he'll just take part in walkthroughs initially and won't be able to practice fully for "a while." Ward was placed on the PUP list Friday after originally breaking his collarbone in late May during spring workouts. The hope is for the 28-year-old to return sometime in mid-to-late August, barring a setback.