Ward (ankle) carried the ball three times of 17 yards and also caught both of his targets for 14 yards in Friday's 17-10 preseason loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Ward injured his ankle after a healthy workload in the opening preseason matchup against the Cowboys, but the rotational back was able to make a return Friday. The 23-year-old is in a tight competition with 2020 seventh-round pick, Eno Benjamin for the No. 3 job behind committee-combo Chase Edmonds and James Conner.
Aug 21, 2021 10:21 AM EST
Ward won't return to Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys due to an ankle injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Prior to his departure, Ward notched six carries for 21 yards and three catches (on four targets) for 13 yards. As an undrafted rookie last season, he was active for 14 games, as opposed to none for 2020 seventh-rounder Eno Benjamin. Ward's adeptness on special teams was the primary reason, and he only ended up getting one touch (a reception) Week 17. Ahead of the coming campaign, he may be the leader for the No. 3 role for that very reason, but he also has more competition in the form of Ito Smith, with Chase Edmonds and James Conner locked in at the top of the depth chart.
Aug 13, 2021 9:30 PM EST
The Cardinals signed Ward off their practice squad Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Ward was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster both of the Cardinals' last two games, only for him to revert back to the practice squad afterward. Teams can only exercise this right two times with players, so Arizona is bringing Ward up to the active roster to serve as a regular on special teams. When it comes to offense, Ward likely needs an injury to one of Kenyan Drake or Chase Edmonds to get on the field otherwise.
Oct 6, 2020 1:30 PM EST
Ward reverted back to Arizona's practice squad Monday according to the NFL transaction log.
Analysis: Ward played 11 special teams snaps and recorded an assisted tackle in Week 4 against the Panthers. It marked the second consecutive game that Ward was active, though if he is called back up from the practice squad he must remain on the roster for the remainder of the campaign.
Oct 5, 2020 5:57 PM EST
The Cardinals promoted Ward to the active roster Saturday, freelance NFL writer Howard Balzer reports.
Analysis: For a second straight week, Ward has been elevated from the practice squad. He played exclusively on special teams in Week 3 and will likely handle a similar workload Sunday against the Panthers.
Oct 3, 2020 5:40 PM EST
Ward was reverted back to the practice squad Monday after playing 14 special teams snaps in Sunday's loss to the Lions, Mason Kern of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Teams can promote players from the practice squad and send them back down twice this season, and this was Ward's first reversion. The running back is buried deep down the depth chart, so he's unlikely to see much playing time on offense even if he gets called back up to the 53-man roster.
Sep 28, 2020 5:27 PM EST
Ward was added to Arizona's 53-man roster Saturday, Alex Weiner of SI.com reports.
Analysis: There's a good chance Ward still ends up inactive on game day against the Lions, as the Cardinals have the one-two punch of Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds, as well as seventh-rounder Eno Benjamin, on the roster at the running back position ahead of Ward.
Sep 26, 2020 5:32 PM EST
The Cardinals signed Ward to the practice squad Sunday, Tadd Haislop of SportingNews.com reports.
Analysis: The undrafted rookie out of Central Michigan spent the offseason in Arizona. Though he wasn't able to carve out a spot on the initial regular-season roster, he could end up being called upon as an emergency option down the road.
Sep 8, 2020 12:28 PM EST
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