Ravens Add Veteran Running Back Jonathan Ward to Bolster Training Camp Depth
The Baltimore Ravens added another experienced option to their backfield Sunday, signing veteran running back Jonathan Ward as training camp moves deeper into the preseason.
Baltimore officially announced the transaction Sunday afternoon. Ward is already familiar with the organization after spending time on the Ravens’ practice squad late last season, though he was never elevated to the active roster.
The move comes as the Ravens deal with some uncertainty behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. Running back Rasheen Ali has missed recent practices and did not play in Baltimore’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Baltimore unlikely to expose Henry or Hill to unnecessary preseason punishment, Ward gives the Ravens another veteran body capable of handling carries and contributing on special teams.
Ward returns to Baltimore
This will technically be Ward’s second stint with the Ravens.
Baltimore signed Ward to its practice squad on Dec. 2, 2025, after he had been released from the New England Patriots’ practice squad. At the time, the Ravens noted that Ward had played primarily on special teams during his NFL career.
Ward made a positive impression shortly after arriving.
Following one of Ward’s first practices with Baltimore, the Ravens coaching staff praised his work while serving on the scout team and mimicking Pittsburgh’s running backs ahead of an AFC North matchup.
He did not ultimately appear in a game for Baltimore during that stint, but the Ravens clearly saw enough to bring him back for another look.
Veteran experience with several NFL teams
Ward entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals following his college career at Central Michigan.
Since then, he has spent time with the Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, New England Patriots and Ravens.
Ward has appeared in 46 regular-season games during his career, rushing 22 times for 91 yards while adding six receptions for 52 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Those numbers do not jump off the page, but Ward’s value throughout his career has gone beyond traditional offensive statistics.
He has frequently been used on special teams and has recorded 18 career tackles, according to the Ravens.
That versatility matters for players competing for the final spots on an NFL roster.
Ward also showed during the 2025 preseason that he can still contribute as both a runner and receiver. He totaled 47 rushing yards on 13 carries and caught seven passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns over three preseason games.
Productive career at Central Michigan
Ward was much more heavily featured during his college career at Central Michigan.
The Illinois native played four seasons for the Chippewas and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards during both his sophomore and senior seasons. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2017 before earning third-team All-MAC recognition in 2019.
Ward finished his Central Michigan career with 2,539 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns while also contributing 98 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns.
One of his biggest collegiate performances came against Ball State in 2019, when Ward rushed for 105 yards and four touchdowns in a dramatic 45-44 Central Michigan victory.
His college production demonstrated considerably more offensive upside than he has been asked to show during his NFL career.
Ravens have opportunities available behind Henry
Ward joins a Baltimore running back room led by Henry and Hill.
Neither veteran played in Baltimore’s preseason opener against Philadelphia, which allowed the Ravens to spread carries among Adam Randall, Elijah Tau-Toliver and Dontae McMillan. Each received between nine and 12 rushing attempts.
Randall led Baltimore with 46 rushing yards and scored a touchdown, while Tau-Toliver and McMillan combined for 82 yards on 19 carries.
That makes Ward’s path to the 53-man roster difficult, particularly once Ali returns.
However, preseason roster decisions are not always based solely on who produces the most rushing yards.
A reserve running back who can contribute on multiple special-teams units, protect the quarterback and provide dependable depth can significantly improve his chances of sticking around.
Ward already has experience performing that type of role.
Ali’s health could be a factor
The timing of Ward’s signing is notable because Ali has been unavailable.
Ali missed multiple practices before sitting out the Ravens’ preseason opener. Baltimore has not indicated that Ward was signed specifically because of Ali’s injury, but adding another experienced running back gives the coaching staff protection if Ali remains sidelined.
The Ravens also have little incentive to give Henry a significant preseason workload. Henry remains the centerpiece of Baltimore’s running game, while Hill has established himself as a trusted veteran contributor.
That creates plenty of preseason snaps for players further down the depth chart.
Ward should now have an opportunity to get some of them.
MSB Take
The Ward signing is not designed to change the Ravens’ offense, but it makes plenty of sense at this point in training camp.
Baltimore needs healthy running backs to handle preseason carries without unnecessarily exposing Henry or Hill, and Ali’s absence has created another opening.
Ward is also more than just a camp body.
He has survived in the NFL since 2020 largely because of his versatility, special-teams ability and willingness to fill complementary roles. Those traits are exactly what teams look for when deciding between players at the bottom of a roster.
The Ravens already know him from his time with the organization last December, which should make the transition easier.
Ward still faces an uphill battle to make the final roster. Baltimore already has established options ahead of him, while Randall and the younger backs are fighting for opportunities of their own.
But preseason football regularly creates unexpected roster openings.
Ward now gets another opportunity in Baltimore to prove he deserves one.
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
