49ers’ Ward looking for payback vs. Marshall

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Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall barely remembers it, but 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward can’t forget.

Two years ago, Marshall, then with the Bears, beat Ward for three touchdown receptions in Chicago’s 28-20 prime-time win at Levi’s Stadium.

Marshall’s recollection? “I don’t really remember much about that game,” he said Wednesday.

And Ward’s memories of his second NFL game? “It was my welcome-to-the-NFL game. I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this before: I’m just looking forward to going against Brandon Marshall for the second time in my career.”

Need a reason to watch the 49ers (1-11) host the Jets (3-9) on Sunday? The answer is presumably yes. And at least one reason to stay on your couch is to witness the matchup between Marshall and Ward.

Ward has been waiting for Round 2 for quite some time. In 2014, at the end of his rookie season, he discussed playing against some of the NFL’s best wideouts. And he didn’t hesitate when asked about which pass-catchers left an impression in his first NFL season.

“Brandon Marshall,” Ward said. “That’s all I’ve got to say. I’m going to leave it at his name. Brandon Marshall, whenever I meet him again.”

Two years ago, Marshall, 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, schooled Ward (5-11, 193) by repeatedly boxing him out en route to a five-catch, 48-yard performance that included scores of 17, 5 and 3 yards.

Ward learned quickly that using finesse is folly when dealing with a hulking wideout such as Marshall, 32, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who ranks fifth among active players with 11,984 receiving yards.

“I feel like you’ve just got to want it more,” Ward said. “I feel like he was doing a little pushing. So going into this game, if he’s doing a little pushing, I’m going to do a little pushing. I just feel like whoever wants it more. … Pushing, shoving, there might be some flags. I don’t know. I don’t care. We’re out here playing football and it’s going to be a physical game. And that’s what I’m going into it thinking.”

For his part, Marshall is thinking he wishes he could recall more from the second three-touchdown game of his 11-year career.

Instead, he has only hazy memories of a game he played in a fog because he took painkillers. The medication allowed him to play with a high ankle sprain he sustained a week earlier.

“I took a couple of pain pills that masked the pain,” Marshall said. “I really wasn’t supposed to play. I came back from a high ankle within (seven) days. I was supposed to be out four to six weeks. I don’t really remember much about that game. I just remember catching those balls and that was pretty much it.”

In the 49ers’ lost season, Ward has been a bright spot and has cemented his status as a young player who will be part of their future. Last month, after a loss in Arizona, it was clear Ward won the respect of wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who ranks third in NFL history in receptions (1,106).

Fitzgerald gave Ward his signed jersey and included a message that read: “I admire your toughness and grit. You bring it every time we battle. I wish you the best in your career.”

Marshall is impressed with Ward’s development since their first meeting.

“He’s really tough,” Marshall said. “And he’s really crafty and savvy. This is a guy that seems to really study the game and understands his opponent. If you go out there and give him the same release two or three times in a row, nine times out of 10, he’s going to get the best of you. So we have to do a better job than him this week of studying film and trying to outwork him mentally.”

Given the way Ward seems to be gearing up for their matchup, it’s unlikely Marshall can out-study him.

Just ask Ward’s close friend, 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt, his high school teammate who has an adjoining locker.

“For him, it’s big to compete against Brandon Marshall again,” Tartt said. “It was a prime-time game, the whole world saw it and he wants to show he’s improved and gotten better.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch