New York Giants lob Hail Mary by adding veteran to help solve growing injury problem during training camp
The New York Giants bolster their RB room with veteran Jonathan Ward.
The New York Giants’ running back room desperately needed to add bodies after rookie Cam Skattebo suffered an apparent injury during Friday’s practice.
At the start of training camp, backup running back Eric Gray was placed on the PUP list, so the Giants were already thin at the position. This prompted the Giants to sign five-year veteran Jonathan Ward, per Jordan Schultz.
Giants sign veteran RB Jonathan Ward
Ward had a productive college career at Central Michigan, rushing for 2,539 yards and 28 touchdowns on 473 carries. Despite his collegiate success, Ward was undrafted in 2020 and signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Ward would stick with the Cardinals for two seasons, mostly spending time on the practice squad and only amassing nine rushing attempts in that span.
Since then, Ward has bounced between practice squads and active rosters for the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward has only totalled 22 carries and 91 yards on the ground with six receptions for 52 yards in his five-year career.
It’s unlikely that this signing significantly impacts the Giants’ offense, especially once Skattebo is healthy enough to return to practice. The Giants still have promising second-year running back Tyrone Tracy, veteran Devin Singletary, and young backs Dante Miller and Rushawn Baker.
