Former Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward will not spend time in prison over allegations he robbed L.A.-area businesses ... TMZ Sports has learned he's been placed on mental health diversion instead.
Court records show a judge ordered Ward to enroll in the program at a hearing back on Oct. 10.
Ward, according to court documents, will now have to comply with any mental health treatment recommendations from "Find Your Balance Center" and "Brain Health USA Center" for a period of two years.