BAL BUF CIN CLE DEN HOU IND JAX KC LAC LV MIA NE NYJ PIT TEN
ARI ATL CAR CHI DAL DET GB LAR MIN NO NYG PHI SEA SF TB WAS
QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
NFL | Derrick Ward retires after nine seasons Tue Jul 3, 05:23 PM
Free-agent RB Derrick Ward (Texans) announced his retirement Tuesday, July 3, after nine NFL seasons. Ward's best season came in 2008 with the New York Giants when he rushed for 1,025 yards and a 5.6 yards per carry average. He finishes with 2,628 rushing yards and 12 rushing TD in 93 NFL games.
| Footballguys view: Originally a 7th round draft pick by the Jets in 2004, Ward will best be remembered for his time with the Giants. Ward teamed with Giants RB Brandon Jacobs to become just the 5th duo in NFL history to rush for over 1,000-yards. After that 1,000-yard season Ward signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but failed to match the production he had with the Giants. He worked as a quality backup for the Texans over the last two seasons. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward still an option Sun Jun 10, 01:54 PM
The Houston Texans could consider re-signing free-agent RB Derrick Ward later this offseason if he is not able to find another team to join.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward could return Mon May 28, 03:30 PM
The Houston Texans may consider re-signing free-agent RB Derrick Ward this offseason if he is willing to accept the veteran minimum.
| Footballguys view: Ward is a good fit for the Texans zone blocking system. He would provide veteran depth behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The Texans also recently worked out free agent Justin Forsett who could be an option as well. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Arian Foster inactive Sun Jan 1, 11:54 AM
Houston Texans RB Arian Foster is inactive in Week 17 versus the Tennessee Titans.
| Footballguys view: Foster is healthy, but the Texans don't want to risk their most valuable offensive player on the eve of their first ever playoff game. Ben Tate and Derrick Ward will split the RB touches in Foster's absence. The Jets have to be peeved that the Texans aren't going all out to stop the Titans playoff hopes. |
Derrick Ward player page
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | 17 probable Fri Oct 14, 04:49 PM
Houston Texans CB Jason Allen (knee, groin), OG Thomas Austin (knee), OG Mike Brisiel (ankle, knee), LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring), TE Joel Dreessen (hip), TE Garrett Graham (hamstring), CB Brandon Harris (hamstring), CB Kareem Jackson (knee), WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (calf), CB Brice McCain (hamstring, concussion), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring), LB DeMeco Ryans (elbow, hamstring, knee), DL Antonio D. Smith (ankle), RB Ben Tate (groin, Achilles'), WR Kevin Walter (illness) and RB Derrick Ward (ankle) are being listed as probable for Week 6. Johnson and Ryans were limited in practice Friday, Oct. 14, while all the others practiced in full.
Link to storyBryant Johnson player page
Kevin Walter player page
Antonio Smith player page
Derrick Ward player page
Joel Dreessen player page
Johnathan Joseph player page
DeMeco Ryans player page
Jason Allen player page
Tim Dobbins player page
Brice McCain player page
Kareem Jackson player page
Ben Tate player page
Garrett Graham player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Brandon Harris player page
Texans | 11 practice Thu Oct 13, 05:05 PM
Houston Texans CB Jason Allen (knee, groin), OG Thomas Austin (knee), OG Mike Brisiel (ankle, knee), CB Brandon Harris (hamstring), CB Kareem Jackson (knee), WR Jacoby Jones (knee), CB Brice McCain (hamstring, concussion), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring), DL Antonio D. Smith (ankle), RB Ben Tate (groin, Achilles') and RB Derrick Ward (ankle) practiced in full Thursday, Oct. 13.
Link to storyAntonio Smith player page
Derrick Ward player page
Jason Allen player page
Jacoby Jones player page
Brice McCain player page
Kareem Jackson player page
Ben Tate player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Brandon Harris player page
Texans | Ben Tate to be No. 2 RB Week 6 Thu Oct 13, 02:39 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Ben Tate (groin, Achilles') will be the primary backup behind RB Arian Foster in Week 6 with RB Derrick Ward (ankle) being the No. 3 running back. All three are expected to receive touches during the game.
| Footballguys view: Tate and Ward are back, but we're not expecting much from them while Arian Foster is healthy. This matchup against the Ravens is tough, but Foster is the type of back who can break the spirit of a defense. |
Derrick Ward player page
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | 10 limited Wed Oct 12, 04:36 PM
Houston Texans OG Mike Brisiel (ankle, knee), LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring), CB Brandon Harris (hamstring), WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring), CB Brice McCain (hamstring, concussion), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring), LB DeMeco Ryans (elbow, hamstring, knee), DL Antonio D. Smith (ankle), RB Ben Tate (groin, Achilles') and RB Derrick Ward (ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Link to storyBryant Johnson player page
Antonio Smith player page
Derrick Ward player page
DeMeco Ryans player page
Tim Dobbins player page
Brice McCain player page
Ben Tate player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Brandon Harris player page
Texans | Two injured RBs expected to be available Wed Oct 12, 01:09 PM
Houston Texans RBs Ben Tate (groin) and Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) are expected to be available to play in Week 6.
| Footballguys view: With Tate and Ward coming back it made Chris Ogbonnaya expendable, and that's why the team released him earlier today. |
Derrick Ward player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Week 5 Inactives Sun Oct 9, 11:42 AM
The Houston Texans have declared WR Andre Johnson, OT Andrew Gardner, RB Derrick Ward, CB Sherrick McManis, QB T.J. Yates, OG Thomas Austin, LB Tim Dobbins inactive for Week 5.
| Footballguys view: Ben Tate is active, but he is only the emergency #3 RB. |
Derrick Ward player page
Tim Dobbins player page
Sherrick McManis player page
T.J. Yates player page
Texans | One of the injured RBs to be active Sat Oct 8, 04:17 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Ben Tate (groin) or RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) will be active in Week 5 and will be the No. 3 running back in the game.
| Footballguys view: Fantasy owners should not count on Tate or Ward to do much this week. Chris Ogbonnaya aka 'Silent G' will be the primary backup behind Arian Foster. |
Derrick Ward player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Arian Foster will start Week 5 Fri Oct 7, 11:17 PM
Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (hip) will start during Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders and he will be backed up by RB Chris Ogbonnaya. Head coach Gary Kubiak plans to have either RB Ben Tate (groin) or RB Derrick Ward (ankle) active as the team's third running back. Kubiak said he needs to decide which of the backs will be the best option.
| Footballguys view: Foster is set up for another massive day. Owners that stuck by him during the turbulence in the first three weeks of the season are being rewarded. |
Derrick Ward player page
Arian Foster player page
Chris Ogbonnaya player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Two RBs questionable Fri Oct 7, 05:50 PM
Houston Texans RBs Ben Tate (groin) and Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) were limited during practice Friday, Oct. 7, and are listed as questionable for Week 5.
| Footballguys view: Chris Ogbonnaya will be the #2 back this week, but it sounds like one of Ward or Tate should be active in a "in case of emergency, break glass" role. |
Derrick Ward player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Three do not practice Thu Oct 6, 07:42 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder), WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) and LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Oct. 6.
Link to storyAndre Johnson player page
Derrick Ward player page
Tim Dobbins player page
Texans | Chris Ogbonnaya likely to be No. 2 RB Thu Oct 6, 02:56 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Chris Ogbonnaya likely will be the No. 2 running back Week 5 because of the injuries to RB Ben Tate (groin) and RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder).
| Footballguys view: Ogbonnaya could get a few carries as the primary backup behind Arian Foster. The former college WR who was converted to RB could also get a few catches out of the backfield as the team needs more receiving weapons with Andre Johnson out. |
Derrick Ward player page
Chris Ogbonnaya player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Three miss practice Wed Oct 5, 06:14 PM
Houston Texans LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring), RB Ben Tate (groin) and RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 5.
| Footballguys view: Chris Ogbonnaya could be the backup to Arian Foster again this week. |
Derrick Ward player page
Tim Dobbins player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Coach talks about two injured RBs Wed Oct 5, 03:20 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Ben Tate (groin) is a little ahead of RB Derrick Ward (ankle) in terms of their recovery from injuries.
| Footballguys view: Arian Foster is back and he'll be the focal point of the Texans ground game each week. With Tate and Ward banged up we could see Chris Ogbannaya as the primary backup behind Foster. |
Derrick Ward player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Three considered day-to-day Mon Oct 3, 06:46 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) and CBs Kareem Jackson (knee) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring) are considered day-to-day for Week 5.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Kareem Jackson player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Texans | Week 4 Inactives Sun Oct 2, 11:42 AM
The Houston Texans have declared OT Andrew Gardner, WR David Anderson, RB Derrick Ward, CB Kareem Jackson, CB Sherrick McManis, QB T.J. Yates, OG Thomas Austin inactive for Week 4.
Derrick Ward player pageDavid Anderson player page
Kareem Jackson player page
Sherrick McManis player page
T.J. Yates player page
Texans | Derrick Ward ruled out for Week 4 Fri Sep 30, 08:29 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) has been ruled out for Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing another practice Friday, Sept. 30.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Texans | Three players do not practice Thu Sep 29, 07:11 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder), FB Lawrence Vickers (illness) and CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 29.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Lawrence Vickers player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Texans | Derrick Ward nursing ankle injury Wed Sep 28, 09:50 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 28, as he was given another day to rest his ankle injury.
| Footballguys view: The only Texans RB not on the injury report is recently called up Chris Ogbonnaya. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward close to getting back on field Mon Sep 26, 10:41 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday, Sept. 26, that RB Derrick Ward (shoulder, ankle) is 'pretty close to getting back on the field.' Tate did not travel with the team for the game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Texans | Week 3 Inactives Sun Sep 25, 11:45 AM
The Houston Texans have declared OT Andrew Gardner, RB Arian Foster, WR David Anderson, RB Derrick Ward, CB Sherrick McManis, QB T.J. Yates, OG Thomas Austin inactive for Week 3.
| Footballguys view: Steve Slaton will get work with Foster and Ward out. |
David Anderson player page
Arian Foster player page
Sherrick McManis player page
T.J. Yates player page
Texans | Two out Fri Sep 23, 06:03 PM
Houston Texans CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and RB Derrick Ward (shoulder, ankle) have been ruled out for Week 3.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Texans | Three do not practice Thu Sep 22, 07:50 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (shoulder, ankle), WR Jacoby Jones (knee) and CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 22.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Jacoby Jones player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Texans | Derrick Ward unlikely to play Thu Sep 22, 02:59 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Derrick Ward (ankle) likely will not play in Week 3.
| Footballguys view: Without Ward and possibly Arian Foster in the lineup we'll see Ben Tate get the start for the Texans. He will then be backed up by veteran Steve Slaton. Tate will get a majority of the touches with Slaton playing more of a change up role. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward injury update Thu Sep 22, 11:12 AM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) revealed Wednesday, Sept. 21, that his injury is a high ankle sprain. If Ward and RB Arian Foster (hamstring) can't play in Week 3, RB Ben Tate would start with RB Steve Slaton serving as the backup. Head coach Gary Kubiak added he is prepared to go with only two running backs in Week 3. 'You can play a game with two guys,' Kubiak said. 'You don't like two. You'd like to suit up three, but we'll see.'
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Steve Slaton player page
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Three miss practice Wed Sep 21, 06:45 PM
Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (knee), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and RB Derrick Ward (shoulder, ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 21.
| Footballguys view: With both Jones and Kevin Walter banged up, Owen Daniels could be in for a big day vs. the Saints. |
Derrick Ward player page
Jacoby Jones player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Texans | Steve Slaton might have bigger role Mon Sep 19, 10:02 PM
Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton might have a bigger role in the offense in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints if RBs Arian Foster (hamstring) and Derrick Ward (ankle) are out or limited.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Steve Slaton player page
Arian Foster player page
Texans | Derrick Ward unlikely for Week 3 Mon Sep 19, 10:01 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) is dealing with a sprained ankle, and he is unlikely to play in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.
| Footballguys view: Ward has already lost his spot on the depth chart to Ben Tate, and at this rate Steve Slaton could pass him. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Week 2 Inactives Sun Sep 18, 03:26 PM
The Houston Texans have declared CB Brandon Harris, OL Derek Newton, RB Derrick Ward, TE Garrett Graham, WR Kevin Walter, QB T.J. Yates, OG Thomas Austin inactive for Week 2.
| Footballguys view: Jacoby Jones gets the start for Walter. He's worth a play in leagues that give credit for return yards. |
Derrick Ward player page
Garrett Graham player page
Brandon Harris player page
T.J. Yates player page
Texans | Derrick Ward will not play Week 2 Fri Sep 16, 02:07 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 2.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward misses practice Thu Sep 15, 02:59 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 15, and likely will not practice Friday, Sept. 16.
| Footballguys view: Ben Tate will serve as the primary backup behind Arian Foster. He could get a few carries to keep Foster fresh. The Texans may also run away with this game and put Tate in for garbage time. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Ben Tate expected to be No.2 RB Thu Sep 15, 10:54 AM
Houston Texans RB Ben Tate is expected to be the team's No. 2 running back in Week 2 if RB Arian Foster (hamstring) is able to play. RB Derrick Ward (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 14.
| Footballguys view: We expect the Texans to pick on Miami through the air early and often. Arian Foster should return as the starting RB but Tate may get mixed in a little more this week to help keep Foster fresh. |
Derrick Ward player page
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Two miss practice Wed Sep 14, 06:12 PM
Houston Texans WR Kevin Walter (shoulder, quadriceps) and RB Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, Sept. 14.
| Footballguys view: Ward's injury was supposedly minor, but this seems like it is something that could cause him to miss Sunday's game. His value is diminishing with Arian Foster practicing again anyway. Walter is out for a week or two, not the original long stretch he was expected to miss when it was reported that he had a broken shoulder. Jacoby Jones is a possible flex play if you are depleted this week. |
Kevin Walter player page
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward day-to-day Mon Sep 12, 05:28 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Derrick Ward (ankle) is considered day-to-day with a sprained ankle.
| Footballguys view: The ankle injury isn't considered serious and Ward will likely be available to play this week. If Arian Foster misses another game Ward will split time with second-year RB Ben Tate. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward expects to play in Week 2 Mon Sep 12, 02:06 AM
Updating a previous report, Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) said he expects to be ready in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. 'It was just precautionary,' Ward said. 'We were already up 34-zip. It scared me a little bit when it happened, but I'm all right. I'll be ready for Miami, and we'll be happy to get (RB Arian Foster) back this week.'
| Footballguys view: Ward and Tate will split carries if Foster continues to miss time. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward injured Week 1 Sun Sep 11, 03:05 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in Week 1 and is considered questionable to return.
| Footballguys view: Ben Tate should be able to notch a top 10 fantasy day with the opportunity he'll have now. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Arian Foster unlikely to play Sun Sep 11, 11:39 AM
Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (hamstring) is unlikely to play during Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. RB Derrick Ward is expected to start in Foster's place, with RB Ben Tate also rotating in. The Texans would then ride the hot hand during the game.
Link to storyDerrick Ward player page
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | More on RB situation in Week 1 Fri Sep 9, 08:00 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Friday, Sept. 9, that RBs Steve Slaton, Ben Tate and Derrick Ward could all see time in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts if RB Arian Foster (hamstring) is sidelined. 'They could possibly all play,' Kubiak said. 'Obviously, Derrick would be the starter and Tate would play and Steve's prepared to play, too, so we could use them all three.'
| Footballguys view: Sounds like we'll get to see if Steve Slaton could get closer to his rookie year form if Foster is out. |
Derrick Ward player page
Steve Slaton player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Derrick Ward would start if Arian Foster sits Fri Sep 9, 01:58 PM
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said RB Derrick Ward would start Week 1 if RB Arian Foster (hamstring) is not able to play in the game.
| Footballguys view: Don't think that Ben Tate won't see a lot of touches because of this proclamation. Tate is the more talented runner of the two of them and he would likely be more productive. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Arian Foster to sit out in Week 1? Fri Sep 9, 11:56 AM
Signs are pointing to Houston Texans RBs Ben Tate and Derrick Ward splitting the carries in Week 1 with RB Arian Foster (hamstring) still hobbled.
| Footballguys view: Ward might be a slightly better play in PPR leagues as he'll be in during more of the passing situations, but Tate has more upside. Both should be considered low-end RB2 plays as long as Foster is out. |
Arian Foster player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Steve Slaton might make debut Thursday Thu Sep 1, 01:46 AM
Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton (hamstring) might be able to make his preseason debut Thursday, Sept. 1, against the Minnesota Vikings. It appears he is fighting RB Chris Ogbonnaya for the potential fourth RB spot behind RBs Arian Foster (hamstring), Derrick Ward and Ben Tate.
| Footballguys view: Slaton needs to impress or he's going to be cut. Even though Slaton has not played up to his potential in recent years we feel several teams could be interested in him if he's on the open market. Teams like Denver or Washington would likely put in waiver claims for Slaton. |
Derrick Ward player page
Steve Slaton player page
Arian Foster player page
Chris Ogbonnaya player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Derrick Ward still running as top backup Mon Aug 29, 03:19 AM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward is still running as the team's No. 2 back, according to head coach Gary Kubiak. RB Ben Tate, who has had a strong preseason, is running as the third-string running back. 'There's going to be a lot of football played this week. I think they both bring something different to our football team, so I could see us playing three guys on gameday. Those things will pan themselves out,' Kubiak said.
| Footballguys view: Ben Tate has had a strong preseason, but too many fantasy owners are jumping the gun and grabbing him as the handcuff to Arian Foster. Ward is still the primary backup and should hold onto the job if he can stay healthy. He's a better all purpose back than Tate, and would be the lead back in a RBBC if Foster misses time with an injury. |
Derrick Ward player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Derrick Ward practices Monday Mon Aug 22, 02:13 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (concussion) participated in practice Monday, Aug. 22.
| Footballguys view: Ben Tate played well in the Texans last preseason game, which puts more pressure on Ward to make plays. We feel both backs will split time as the primary backup behind Arian Foster this year. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Loaded at running back Sun Aug 21, 11:35 AM
Houston Texans RB Ben Tate is back in the conversation for a potential No. 2 role behind Arian Foster after a strong preseason showing Saturday, Aug. 20. Tate, who missed all of last year's regular season with a broken leg, missed a lot of training camp because of hamstring injury. He piled up 95 yards rushing and a touchdown on just nine carries against the New Orleans Saints. 'I guess practice is overrated,' said head coach Gary Kubiak. Tate was encouraged with his game, but said he needs to stay humble and keep working. The Texans appear loaded at tailback with Foster, Tate, Derrick Ward (concussion), Steve Slaton (hamstring) and Chris Ogbonnaya. It remains unlikely the team would keep five tailbacks.
| Footballguys view: Steve Slaton could either be traded or cut before the start of the regular season. If he hits the open market there should be several teams like the Redskins and the Broncos interested in his services. |
Derrick Ward player page
Steve Slaton player page
Arian Foster player page
Chris Ogbonnaya player page
Ben Tate player page
Texans | Derrick Ward unlikely to play in preseason game Thu Aug 18, 08:29 PM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (concussion) likely will not play in the second preseason game but should be able to return in the near future.
| Footballguys view: He's still the clear handcuff for any Foster owners that are worried about their first-round investment. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward back at night practice Thu Aug 18, 01:22 AM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday, Aug. 17. Ward suffered a mild concussion in the preseason game Monday, Aug. 15, against the New York Jets.
| Footballguys view: Ward is still the clear handcuff to Arian Foster, which could be a role that has a lot of value this year. |
Derrick Ward player page
Texans | Derrick Ward injured in preseason game Tue Aug 16, 10:38 AM
Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward (head) left the team's preseason game Monday, Aug. 15, with a head injury.
| Footballguys view: That makes four Texans RBs who are battling injuries right now. The injury to Ward opened the door for Chris Ogbannaya to showcase his skill set as a runner and receiver on Monday night. |
Derrick Ward player page