2017 was supposed to be the year Jimmie Ward finally slotted in to his natural position for the 49ers. Coming out of Northern Illinois he was considered a natural center fielder but Ward’s first assignment was nickel corner. After a move to the outside in his third season, the 49ers new Cover 3 defense was supposed to see Ward flourish in a marriage of scheme and position fit.
The season ended, however, with two familiar words: injured reserve. Ward has played just 42 of his first 64 games, with broken bones prematurely ending 3 of his first 4 seasons.