Jonathan

Ward

ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes that “the only other running back on the roster is former practice squad player Terrell Jennings” (knee), who is questionable to play this evening. The Patriots will likely elevate veteran RB D’Ernest Johnson “from the practice squad for the third straight week,” and also re-signed RB Jonathan Ward to the practice squad on Tuesday, making him an elevation option alongside rookie RB Rushawn Baker. Henderson was limited by a knee injury on Monday but successfully upgraded to full participation on Tuesday and does not carry a game designation. He should handle a borderline RB1/2-level workload, and possesses the explosive traits required to finish squarely in the RB1 pool this week.

That’s back-to-back limited sessions for Stevenson, who was spotted working on the side in practice by Patriots beats today. With Terell Jennings (knee, limited) also in question for Thursday night, the Patriots ominously signed Jonathan Ward to their practice squad. It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Stevenson plays on Thursday night, but we’d bet on a questionable tag at this point. The tea leaves of signing Ward leave us thinking one of these two dinged up backs won’t play.

Ward’s signing comes in the wake of Cam Skattebo (hamstring) and Rushawn Baker (knee) suffering injuries. Ward was released by the Steelers in June and has served primarily as a special teams contributor for his career. Since entering the league as a UDFA in 2020, Ward has rushed 22 times for 91 scoreless yards while adding six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. We wouldn’t expect him to be anything more than a camp body while Skattebo and Baker work their way back to the field.

Through five NFL seasons, Ward has rushed 22 times for 92 yards and caught 6-of-7 for 52 yards and one touchdown. He is a capable special teams contributor and may be able to find a spot on an NFL roster this season.

Leal was replaced on the active roster by OLB Ade Ogundeji. Pittsburgh is also elevating RB Jonathan Ward and OLB Eku Leota from the practice squad this week. The Steelers now have 13 players on injured reserve.

We are only noting because James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) were also knocked out with injury. If you were looking to Ward for desperation Week 6 touches behind Eno Benjamin against the Seahawks, you will have to look elsewhere.

Running back Jonathan Ward was also re-signed. Both players were exclusive rights free agents. With Christian Kirk and A.J. Green set to hit free agency, Wesely gives the team a backstop at wide receiver. He posted a 19/208/3 receiving line in 2021 and took on a larger role after DeAndre Hopkins went down. Wesley could climb as high as WR3 on the depth chart this season.

Ward is also being evaluated for a concussion. Ward missile’d into Green Bay return man Kylin Hill on a third quarter kick and immediately went down. After remaining there for several minutes, Ward was backboarded and carted, thankfully with movement in his extremities. The special teamer has also briefly mixed in on offense this season, handling five touches in seven games. Ward is a second-year UDFA out of Central Michigan.

Chase Edmonds, to no one’s surprise, is listed as the team’s top back, followed by James Conner and Jonathan Ward, a 2020 Arizona practice squad player who had one touch last season. Benjamin, 22, an intriguing 2020 draft prospect out of Arizona State, remains buried on the depth chart despite some training camp buzz. He’s unlikely to have any fantasy relevance this season barring injuries to Conner or Edmonds. We could see plenty of Benjamin in the preseason.

Ward (6'0/202) led the team with 6.8 yards per attempt while giving Kobe Lewis a breather. The Chippewas were able to do whatever they wanted on the ground, gobbling up 289 yards and five touchdowns on 6.1 yards per tote as a unit. He has scored at least once in seven straight outings, posting 13 times on the ground and once through the air during the impressive run. He’ll look to keep up the scoring ways against Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship Game next Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.