A legal resolution has emerged for Texans safety Jimmie Ward. A Montgomery County grand jury has decided to no-bill his felony domestic violence case, meaning the prosecution will not proceed with charges. 
Ward was arrested in June on third-degree felony charges. It became known earlier this month his case would be presented to a grand jury, with his attorneys expressing optimism their presentation would be sufficient to result in the proceedings coming to an end. That has now taken place.
“Today we presented our grand jury packet and evidence to the grand jury to show that Mr. Ward was factually innocent of the allegations against him,” a statement from attorney Stephen Jackson reads (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson).
“The district attorney also provided information to the grand jury, that we believe, assisted the grand jury in coming to the conclusion that Mr. Ward should be no-billed. We believe not only was he exonerated by the grand jury but that the actions of the grand jury show that Jimmie was factually innocent.”
Just ahead of the deadline for roster cuts, Ward was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. That remains the case at this time. As a result, the 34-year-old is prohibited from playing or practicing. Ward is still recovering from offseason foot surgery, and he is currently unable to play anyway.
“We continue to monitor all developments in this matter, which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said (via Wilson). Especially in the case of domestic violence allegations, the league often waits until criminal proceedings finish to conduct its own investigation. Pending the outcome of that process, Ward could remain on the exempt list for an extended period. Findings of criminal wrongdoing are not necessary for an NFL probe to result in a fine and/or suspension under the personal conduct policy.
Ward – who is still the subject of a civil lawsuit stemming from his alleged April 2025 actions against his former fiancée – has one year remaining on his contract. The former 49er will provide DeMeco Ryans and the Texans with a veteran presence and starting option in the secondary when available, and today’s news marks a key development with respect to determining when that will be the case.