Pro Bowl Safety T.J. Ward Returns to NFL after 3 Years, Signs with Cardinals

T.J. Ward (43) with thw Denver Broncos in 2016. Photo by Scott D Stivason/CSM/Shutterstock (6899032bv)

It appears as though two-time Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward isn’t done with football after all. Ward, who hasn’t played since 2017, inked a deal with Arizona Cardinals on Thursday and will be joining the team’s practice squad.

Ward last suited up for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he played 12 games in 2017. Before that, he had stints with Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, winning a Super Bowl ring with the latter.

Over the course of his NFL career, Ward racked up 607 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and three touchdowns. Besides two Pro Bowl nods, he also earned an All-Pro selection in 2013.

Cardinals’ secondary has been hit hard with injuries recently, so T.J. Ward should provide the badly needed depth they need on the safety position. Arizona currently has second-year player Jalen Thompson on injured reserve, while Pro Bowler Budda Baker and veteran Chris Banjo are both dealing with injuries and won’t be able to play this week.

Luckily for the Cardinals, rookie Isaiah Simmons can cover the position exceptionally well and is expected to start at safety against Carolina Panthers.

Gunner's favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, Iron Man (just the first one), and every James Bond film ever made. He's learning TV and cinema and hoping to always enjoy movies as he does now.