49ers’ Jimmie Ward finishing second season in shut-down mode

Recommended Video:

In late September, Jimmie Ward was a first-round pick with second-string status.

Instead of playing the nickel-cornerback role he held as a rookie in 2014, he was playing sparingly. He logged just 29 percent of the defensive snaps in the first three games and was surrounded by injury questions: He had returned to practice in mid-August after undergoing the second surgery on his right foot since he’d left Northern Illinois.

In other words, he looked far more like a botched pick than a budding star.

Four months later, however, defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was asked to highlight some young players about whom he was excited, given their performance this season.

“Well,” Mangini began, “one guy that stands out right away is Jimmie Ward.”

Yes, the player who looked like a bust could be a bona fide player after all.

Lions wide receiver Golden Tate is tackled by cornerback Jimmie Ward during the first half of the 49ers’ 32-17 loss last Sunday. Lions wide receiver Golden Tate is tackled by cornerback Jimmie Ward during the first half of the 49ers’ 32-17 loss last Sunday. Photo: Rick Osentoski, Associated Press Photo: Rick Osentoski, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers’ Jimmie Ward finishing second season in shut-down mode 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

After reclaiming his nickel-cornerback role in Week 4, Ward has steadily improved, to the point where he has been in shutdown mode down the stretch. In the past four weeks, Ward has allowed a 44.6 passer rating when targeted, which ranks seventh of 109 cornerbacks over that span, according to Pro Football Focus. He also has been targeted just once in every 9.7 coverage snaps, which ranks second of 80 cornerbacks.

His four-week stretch began with his first career interception, which he returned 29 yards for a touchdown, in a 26-20 overtime win at Chicago on Dec. 6.

On Thursday, Mangini said Ward’s on-field performance had plenty to do with off-the-field effort. Ward is a video-study junkie who is known to huddle with secondary coach Tim Lewis on plane flights to ensure he can ace his assignments.

“Over the course of his career, that approach is going to serve him really well and as he builds up experience and reps with that work ethic,” Mangini said. “He’s got a chance not just to make plays on ability; he’s going to make plays because the whole game slows down. So I’ve loved that about him.”

Ward is clearly getting quite comfortable in the slot, but he’ll probably move to foreign territory Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Ward is expected to shift to safety because rookie Jaquiski Tartt is doubtful with a knee injury.

Ward was a safety in high school and college, but hasn’t played the position in a regular-season NFL game. Given his inexperience, he figures to stay busy against St. Louis.

“I expect the quarterback to look at me the majority of the time to see if I’m going to give a look away,” Ward said. “Because, you know, it’s my first time playing safety. I’m pretty sure he’ll hear about it. ... And I’m pretty sure they’re going to try me — take a couple of shots. I’m a nickel. I’m sure they’re probably going to run toward my side, too. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Ward also is looking forward to downtime in the offseason, which will allow him to rest his right foot. Ward has had two surgeries on his foot in the past 21 months and has worn a plastic orthotic inside his cleat this season. Ward said he’d been told he can ditch the device next season, but he acknowledged he might never be pain-free during his career.

“It’s just like tearing a piece of paper and taping it back up,” Ward said. “You’ll never get the same piece of paper. In this offseason, I’ll try to get help and have all the pain massaged out. Hopefully, when next year comes rolling around, it will be close to 100 percent.”

The injury is part of the reason for Ward’s slow start this season. He played extensively on special teams, but logged just 54 of 185 defensive snaps in the first three games. The 49ers went back to Ward after the secondary was torched in back-to-back blowout losses at Pittsburgh and Arizona.

“I wasn’t really mad,” Ward said. “I was disappointed. I knew I was going to get my shot again. And I just really had to make the most of it.”

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