Overview
- Minutes into the Texans-Steelers AFC Wild Card game at Acrisure Stadium, ESPN aired a defensive starters graphic that incorrectly included safety Jimmie Ward.
- Ward has not played this season after a December 2024 foot surgery and has remained on Houston’s reserve/physically unable to perform list.
- The NFL also placed Ward on the Commissioner’s Exempt list in August 2025 following two arrests, rendering him unavailable to play.
- Jaylen Reed and Calen Bullock were the safeties who actually started for Houston, contrary to the graphic shown.
- Awful Announcing and Larry Brown Sports characterized the mistake as a significant gaffe on ESPN’s playoff coverage, noting Ward’s NFL outlook remains uncertain.