49ers' first-round draft pick Jimmie Ward cleared to practice

San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick Jimmie Ward has been cleared to practice, according to CSNBayArea. 

The former Northern Illinois safety, who was the No. 30 overall selection by the 49ers in this past May's NFL Draft, underwent surgery in March to repair a bone in his right foot. 

Ward has not taken part in any of San Francisco's on-field offseason activities, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is looking forward to Ward debuting on the practice field:

When you're skipping the practice part, you're skipping the most important part," Fangio said. "(Ward) has done everything he can under the circumstances to learn our defense and improve. But he's go to go play." 

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- Jack Jorgensen