Report: Oft-injured Jimmie Ward suffers broken collarbone

The 49ers’ offseason gamble on Jimmie Ward isn’t looking wise.

On Thursday, the oft-injured starting free safety sustained a broken collarbone while diving for a ball during the team’s third offseason practice, the NFL Network reported. The details of the injury aren’t known, but a broken collarbone can typically take two months to heal, which means Ward will certainly be sidelined until training camp.

The 49ers re-signed Ward to a one-year deal with $3 million guaranteed despite his extensive injury history. The deal also includes $1.5 million in per-game roster bonuses.

Ward has played in 51 of 80 games during his career and has ended four of his first five seasons on injured reserve. He also sustained a broken collarbone in 2016 before breaking his forearm in each of the past two seasons. He re-broke the foot he fractured in college in 2014.

Before free agency, general manager John Lynch noted Ward’s medical file when asked about the possibility of re-signing the former first-round pick.

“It’s not an easy answer, because there’s a long (injury) history,” Lynch said. “But there’s also a very, very talented football player who I would tell you grew into a really special leader.”

The 49ers’ options behind Ward include Adrian Colbert and D.J. Reed, who is sidelined until training camp after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

In free agency, the 49ers, who had significant salary cap space, did not aggressively pursue All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas, 30, who signed a four-year deal with the Ravens with $32 million guaranteed.

Before free agency, cornerback Richard Sherman said Thomas had “serious interest” in the 49ers if the “finances were right.”

On Tuesday, Sherman said he...