Who Should I Start? Jonathan Ward or Chase Brown

Thursday, June 19, 3:13 PM

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.

Friday, January 2, 1:26 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (illness) returned to practice on Friday and will play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Brown's availability for this weekend was in question after he missed the first two practices of the week due to illness. The 25-year-old will be ready to roll on Sunday, though, as he seeks the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. He heads into the final weekend of the regular season with 219 carries for 947 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, adding a career-high 65 catches on 82 targets for 419 yards and four more touchdowns. Brown has been money for fantasy managers down the stretch and needs to remain in all starting lineups against Cleveland. In the season opener against the Browns, Brown had 21 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.