A Niners cornerback finally snags a pick — in Week 14

For the first time in 17 games, a 49ers cornerback did what is generally considered part of a cornerback’s job description: get an interception.

On the second play of the game, Jimmie Ward intercepted a pass from Jets quarterback Bryce Petty on the New York 15 and returned it to the 8.

In only his second NFL game, in 2014 against Chicago, Ward was burned three times for touchdowns by Marshall.

Later in the half, Ward, the team’s first-round selection in 2014 and one of Trent Baalke’s draft picks who seems to be developing into a quality starter, sacked Petty.

Ward became the first 49ers defensive player to have both an interception and sack since NaVorro Bowman achieved that in a game against Arizona in December 2013.

[...] in the process, he became the 25th player in NFL history to top 12,000 career receiving yards.

Ward was involved in a play that might have made a difference in regulation, when he pushed a scrambling Petty as the Jets’ quarterback went out of bounds and was flagged.