SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

Ward cleared after injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward has been taken off the physically unable to perform list after missing nearly four weeks of practice with a hamstring injury.

Ward was cleared to return on Wednesday and took part in practice on a limited basis. Ward hurt his hamstring doing the conditioning test on July 27 and has been sidelined ever since.

Ward is a key part of San Francisco’s defense and the team wants to get him back up to speed as quickly as possible. The team has not decided whether Ward will play in Sunday’s exhibition game in Minnesota.

“Of course we would like to,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But, I have really no expectations for that. We’ll see how he looks today.”

Ward, who has played both cornerback and safety in his three seasons, has two career interceptions and 20 passes defensed in 35 games.

He is being counted on to man the critical free safety position in this defense. The Niners call the position “the eraser” for its importance in covering up mistakes by teammates.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

QB Henne to replace Bortles

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

Chad Henne will start Jacksonville’s preseason game against Carolina, a change that could signal the end of Blake Bortles’ career with the Jaguars.

Coach Doug Marrone made the announcement Wednesday, a day before the exhibition and nearly a week after he created a quarterback competition in Jacksonville for the first time since 2013. Marrone said both quarterbacks will get time with the first-team offense.

Henne, a 10-year veteran whose last start came in 2014, outperformed Bortles during training camp and through two preseason games. If Henne plays well against the Panthers, he likely will start the Sept. 10 season opener at Houston.

It’s unclear what that would mean for Bortles, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Jaguars exercised a fifth-year option in Bortles’ deal in May that would pay him $19 million in 2018. His salary is guaranteed only for injury, meaning the Jaguars could end up on the hook for a huge payout.

So keeping Bortles is a financial risk, if he gets on the field.

Associated Press