Jonathan Ward (born September 30, 1997) is an American professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

running back A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive American football plays#Offensive terminology, handoffs from the quarterback to Rush (American football)#Offense ...

. He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

for the Central Michigan Chippewas.

College career

Ward was a member of the Central Michigan Chippewas for four seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 2,539 yards and 28 touchdowns on 473 carries and 98 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns.

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

Ward was signed by the

Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...

as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. He was waived on September 5, 2020, during final roster cuts and was re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day. Ward was elevated to the Cardinals' active roster on September 26, 2020, and made his NFL debut the following day against the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

. He reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was elevated again on October 3 for the week 4 game against the

Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...

, and reverted to the practice squad again following the game. He was promoted to the active roster on October 6, 2020. In Week 17 of the 2020 season against the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West ...

, Ward recorded his first career reception for an eleven yard touchdown during the 18–7 loss. On October 12, 2022, Ward was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He was released on November 22.

New York Jets

On November 29, 2022, Ward was signed to the

New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...

practice squad. He was released on December 6.

Tennessee Titans

On December 14, 2022, Ward was signed to the

Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...

practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 29. He was waived on August 28. Ward was then re-signed to the Titans practice squad on October 24. He was promoted to the active roster on November 11, but waived a week later. Ward was then signed to the practice squad on November 21. He was signed to the active roster on December 11.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On May 21, 2024, Ward signed a one-year contract with the

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...

. He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad. Ward was promoted to the active roster on October 28 and released on November 9. He was re-signed to the team's practice squad on November 13. Ward was waived on December 4 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. Ward signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh on January 20, 2025. He was released by the Steelers on June 19.

References

External links

*
Central Michigan Chippewas bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Jonathan 1997 births Living people American football running backs Arizona Cardinals players Central Michigan Chippewas football players New York Jets players Players of American football from Illinois Sportspeople from Kankakee, Illinois Tennessee Titans players Pittsburgh Steelers players