The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran running back Jonathan Ward on Thursday, the team announced on X. After signing with the organization last offseason, Ward spent the 2024 campaign rotating between the active roster and the practice squad. He appeared in four contests, totaling five carries for 22 yards. The undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Central Michigan has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and Steelers during his five-year NFL career, compiling 91 rushing yards and 52 receiving yards with one total touchdown. The 27-year-old could find his way on an active roster for another team, but he'll likely have to make his mark on special teams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent running back Jonathan Ward to their practice squad on Tuesday. Ward will return to the team's practice squad after being cut less than a week ago. The 27-year-old will continue to provide running back depth for the Steelers behind Najee Harris (ankle), Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson while being well off the fantasy radar. The Central Michigan alum has actually appeared in four games for the Steelers this year in his first season with the team but has seen only five carries for 22 yards and hasn't been targeted in the passing game. Harris picked up a minor ankle injury in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders but is expected to play this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, so Ward will most likely stick on the practice squad in Week 11.
The New York Jets added running back Jonathan Ward to their practice squad on Tuesday. The team lost their lead back, Michael Carter (ankle), during their victory over the Bears on Sunday, who is day-to-day with a low ankle sprain. Having already lost Breece Hall (knee) earlier this year, they turned to a combination of Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight. The team also made James Robinson a healthy scratch entering the game, who should be active on Sunday against the Vikings. The addition of Ward likely says more about the health of Carter than it does about their interest in adding him into the mix, although he could suit up in Week 13 as well. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the news and practice reports leading up to the game, but it seems like Knight, Johnson, and Robinson will form a committee as the starting trio.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward finished Friday's preseason opener with six carries for 15 yards and two touchdowns while adding two receptions for an additional 26 yards. Ward finished with the second-most carries in this one, trailing only rookie Keaontay Ingram. The 24-year-old had a decent showing in his limited workload, but a crowded Cardinals running back room makes it an uphill battle for him to earn any significant playing time. With James Conner, Darrel Williams, Eno Benjamin, and Ingram all in the mix, Ward is well off the fantasy radar for now.
The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed running back Jonathan Ward. The 24-year-old was set to become an exclusive rights free agent prior to the signing. Ward has spent each of his two NFL seasons with the Cardinals after going undrafted in 2020. Over those two seasons, he has mostly played on special teams. As a running back, he has a total of just nine carries for 33 yards and four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. He is behind James Conner, Chase Edmonds and Eno Benjamin on the Cardinals' running back depth chart as of right now.
Jonathan Ward
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Steelers
