The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed defensive lineman Tim Ward and defensive back Decorian Patterson and released defensive back Kordell Rodgers on Tuesday.
Tim Ward is six foot six and weighs 255 pounds. The 26-year-old from High Point, North Carolina, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders drafted Ward in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. He was released by the Defenders and claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Brahmas on March 21, 2024. In 2024, Ward made 15 tackles (9 solo, 6 assists), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and one force fumble in 7 games.
Ward signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He was placed on the Non-Football Injury List (Knee) when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers. In 2020, Ward played one game for Kansas City making five tackles (5 solo), one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack.
On September 1, 2021, the Chiefs traded Ward to the New York Jets. Ward made 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 assists), and two pass breakups in 11 games. After New York, Ward spent time on the Green Bay Packers practice squad in 2022.
The Houston Roughnecks signed Ward as a free agent on January 27, 2023. In 2023, Ward made 22 tackles (17 solo, 5 assists), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, three quarterback hits, and two pass breakups in six games for the Houston Roughnecks.
Collegiately, Ward played four seasons at Old Dominion (2015-18) with 125 tackles (56 solo, 69 assists), 30.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, one interception, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 47 games for the Monarchs.
Decorian Patterson is six foot and weighs 193 pounds. The 24-year-old from Leesburg, Florida, attended the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp in 2024.
Collegiately, Patterson played five seasons at Middle Tennessee State (2018-22) making 183 tackles (124 solo, 59 assists), 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 9 interceptions for 47 yards, 39 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt in 50 games for the Blue Raiders. He was named an All-C-USA Honorable Mention in 2022.
Then, Patterson transferred to the University of Central Florida in 2023 making 23 tackles (20 solo, 3 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups in 12 games for the Knights.
Kordell Rodgers is five foot eleven and weighs 175 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lufkin, Texas, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on May 10, 2023. In 2023, Rodgers made 37 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games for the Alouettes as Montreal went on to win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Montreal Alouettes released Rodgers on May 15, 2024. Then, Rodgers signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 19, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad. In 2024, Rodgers made 3 tackles against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 10 before returning to the practice squad.
Collegiately, Rodgers played six seasons at Texas State (2017-22) with 156 tackles (106 solo, 50 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions for 154 touchdowns, two interceptions, 25 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 51 games for the Bobcats.
