49ers Inactives for Week 5 at Carolina; S Jimmie Ward Ruled Out With Hand Injury

Oct 9, 2022, 11:45 AM | Updated: 1:50 pm

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Jimmie Ward #1 of the San Francisco 49ers returns an interception during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

UPDATE: Safety Jimmie Ward has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s game after suffering hand injury. Ward made his season debut Sunday, coming in for the first play at wide linebacker.

He was immediately removed from the game and was ruled out shortly after.

Original Story:

San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward is officially active for Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, per a team statement.

The team activated Ward off the injured reserve Saturday afternoon, indicating his availability for this week’s road trip. He began practicing with the 49ers Wednesday, getting through the week with no setbacks to set up a potential return to the field.

Sunday marks Ward’s 2022 regular season debut, sustaining a significant hamstring injury in the preseason that landed him on short-term IR. The safety was full of energy at practice this week, eager to get back out their with his teammates.

“You can feel the energy out there, what those guys bring, especially Jimmie,” defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said Thursday. “The energy that he brings just as a captain, as a leader of our team, just to get that guy back at this point in time out there with the group. I think it’s, for the younger guys, it’s cool to see how veterans work and cool for them to have one of their leaders back out there and everybody feels that energy that Jimmie brings for us.”

A 49ers defense already at the top of the league in advanced metrics, now adding one of their defensive captains to fortify the unit.