4 SF 49ers players who must bounce back in Week 5 vs. Dolphins
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Safety Jimmie Ward
One of the SF 49ers players who has seemingly gone through a notable regression from last year is free safety Jimmie Ward.
After a career-best season in 2019, Ward’s play hasn’t quite been on par this season, and one could make the argument he was notably responsible for some of the defensive miscues that allowed one of the worst-ranked offenses, the Eagles, to rack up 25 points against San Francisco last Sunday.
During the game, Ward was hit with two penalties that allowed key drives for Philadelphia to continue.
The Niners secondary remains banged up entering Week 5, likely starting cornerbacks Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon and Jamar Taylor instead of the usual trio of Richard Sherman (calf), Emmanuel Moseley (concussion) and K’Waun Williams (knee).
That’ll put even more pressure on Ward, especially having to contend with one of the Dolphins’ top receiving threats, wide receiver DeVante Parker, who is coming off a 10-catch, 110-yard performance in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks.
On the season, Ward has been hit with a lowly 37.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, suggesting he’s been more a liability in this department than an asset.
That needs to change in Week 5.