T.J. Ward

The Arizona Cardinals signed veteran safety T.J. Ward to their practice squad.

Fantasy Impact

The 33-year-old joins Arizona since starting safety Budda Baker won't play in Week 4. Additionally, two more defensive backs won't suit up for Arizona either. The Panthers' passing attack could have themselves a game on Sunday.

T.J. Ward was arrested in early January of 2018 and now he’s facing a Hillsborough County court date for felony marijuana possession.

Fantasy Impact

Ward never quite worked out for Tampa Bay as they preferred using rookie Justin Evans and veteran Chris Conte as the starting safeties once Evans acclimated himself to the pro level. Ward was reportedly not agreeing with the situation as it was and now this arrest along with Ward being an unrestricted free agent in 2018 may mean the end of Ward's time in Tampa Bay.

After missing multiple contests in an injury-filled season, Ward recorded five tackles and four assists in the loss to Carolina in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact

It was late news that Ward was to start at strong safety, so there may not have been many IDP owners who got to enjoy his production on the field. If there are still any leagues using IDP heading into Week 17 to finish their playoffs Ward would be a deep option if he is again starting. The strong safety is normally the least productive in the Tampa Bay defense, but with how things normally aren't the same in the last Week of the season for fantasy purposes, keep in mind anything can happen. It'll be hard to say if Ward will be with Tampa Bay in 2018 for those dynasty owners looking to roster players now. Out of the main four safties of Justin Evans, Chris Conte, Ward, and Keath Tandy, Evans would be the only sure lock to be in Tampa Bay and likely have the key role at free safety.

T.J. Ward is active and expected to start.

Fantasy Impact

Reports are he'll start in place of recently injured reserved Justin Evans. The most likely scenario for IDP owners is that Ward will take his place on the field but will actually play the strong safety position and Chris Conte will revert back to his free safety position he lost to Evans. In the Tampa Bay Defense, it is normally the free safety position that produces the most on the field between the two safeties.

T.J Ward is inactive against Green Bay for Week 13 as he is still dealing with concussion symptoms.

Fantasy Impact

Not a major loss here for fantasy owners who have hung on to Ward this season. He hasn't been a factor since joining Tampa Bay. The rookie Justin Evans and Chris Conte have been Tamp Bay's preferred players on the field even when Ward has managed to be healthy. Evans holds the most productive free safety position for IDP purposes.