Jonathan Ward Bio
Jonathan Ward (born September 30, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 203 pounds, he has built a journeyman career as a versatile contributor on offense and special teams across multiple organizations. He previously played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and New England Patriots, developing a reputation for toughness and pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
Ward played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas, where he established himself as a productive all-purpose back before entering the professional ranks. After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals and began a steady progression that has carried him through practice squads, active-roster stints, and short-term contracts around the league.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Ward was born on September 30, 1997, in Kankakee, Illinois. Growing up in a Midwestern football culture, he attended Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee, where he first gained attention as a multi-purpose offensive weapon. His size and athleticism made him a natural fit for the running back position, and he developed into one of the more highly recruited prospects in the area during his prep years.
At Bishop McNamara, Ward handled a heavy workload as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield, and he helped lead his team to competitive seasons in the local high-school landscape. His performances attracted the attention of Mid-American Conference programs, ultimately leading him to commit to Central Michigan University, where he would spend the next four years of his football career.
Path to American Football
Ward’s pathway to professional football ran through Central Michigan, where he joined the Chippewas as part of a recruiting class looking to add depth in the backfield. He developed steadily under the program’s coaching staff, learning the responsibilities of pass protection and route running that are essential for modern running backs at the next level.
By the time he finished his collegiate career, Ward had accumulated 2,539 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 473 carries, and he had added 98 receptions for 909 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His production earned him recognition within the conference, including Second-team All-MAC honors in 2017 and Third-team All-MAC recognition in 2019, validating his transition toward a professional opportunity.
Jonathan Ward Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Jonathan Ward signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020, beginning his professional career in the desert. After being waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, a common path for rookie free agents trying to earn a foothold in the league.
Ward was elevated to the Cardinals’ active roster on September 26, 2020, and made his NFL debut the following day against the Detroit Lions. He was elevated again on October 3 for the Week 4 game against the Carolina Panthers before being promoted to the active roster on October 6. In Week 17 of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams, Ward recorded his first career reception, an eleven-yard touchdown, during an 18–7 loss, a small but meaningful milestone in his first year.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2020–2022)
Over his first two NFL seasons, Ward settled into a depth role with the Cardinals, contributing on special teams and as a situational back. His 2021 campaign offered limited offensive action, but he remained a reliable member of the practice squad and active roster, learning the nuances of professional game preparation under a stable coaching staff.
The 2022 season was cut short when Ward was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on October 12, 2022. He was later released on November 22, ending his time in Arizona. During his Cardinals tenure, he appeared in multiple games and continued to refine his receiving skills out of the backfield.
Tennessee Titans Era (2022–2023)
On December 14, 2022, Ward was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, providing him an opportunity to re-enter the league late in the season. He was promoted to the active roster on December 29, 2022, offering a brief window of active duty before the regular season ended.
Ward returned to the Titans in 2023 on a series of practice squad and active-roster moves, including being re-signed to the practice squad on October 24, promoted to the active roster on November 11, waived a week later, signed back to the practice squad on November 21, and signed to the active roster on December 11. The constant movement reflected the high turnover at the bottom of NFL rosters, but it also demonstrated his value as a reliable, ready-to-play reserve.
New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Other Stints (2022–2025)
On November 29, 2022, Ward was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, giving him a brief stint with a second AFC East team. He was released on December 6, 2022, after a short stay, but the experience added another chapter to his growing resume.
On May 21, 2024, Ward signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released on August 27, re-signed to the practice squad, promoted to the active roster on October 28, released on November 9, re-signed to the practice squad on November 13, waived on December 4, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. He signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh on January 20, 2025, before being released on June 19. On August 4, 2025, Ward signed a contract with the New York Giants, but was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. On October 28, 2025, he signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad, was released on November 4, re-signed a week later, and released again on November 25.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
On December 2, 2025, Ward was signed to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, joining an organization known for its strong rushing attack and physical identity. The move positioned him within a backfield that values physical runners and reliable pass catchers, traits he has consistently displayed throughout his career.
As of late 2025, Ward continues to serve in a depth and special teams capacity for the Ravens, contributing in practice and standing ready for elevation to the active roster when needed.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ward is recognized as a between-the-tackles runner with dependable hands out of the backfield, a trait that traces back to his 98 collegiate receptions. He has built his professional value on special teams coverage, pass protection, and short-area receiving rather than as a feature back, offering coaches a versatile reserve who understands assignments and protections.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NFL touchdown, an eleven-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, stands as an early career highlight, as does his Second-team All-MAC selection in 2017. Surviving on practice squads across seven organizations, including the Cardinals, Jets, Titans, Steelers, Giants, Patriots, and Ravens, is itself a milestone that reflects persistence and reliability at the highest level of the sport.
Jonathan Ward Career Wins
Jonathan Ward’s career has been defined more by longevity, versatility, and team contribution than by headline win totals. His statistical production came primarily during his four seasons at Central Michigan, where his 28 rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns established his professional profile.
Other Wins & Performances
Ward earned Second-team All-MAC honors in 2017 and Third-team All-MAC recognition in 2019, conference-level awards that confirmed his standing as one of the more productive backs in the Mid-American Conference during his college tenure. He has not been credited with verified major individual NFL awards.
Jonathan Ward Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Jonathan Ward’s immediate family is limited. He was born and raised in Kankakee, Illinois, and he has not publicly detailed his parents or siblings in verifiable sources.
Personal Life
Jonathan Ward maintains a private personal life away from football. There are no publicly confirmed details regarding a spouse or children in available records.
2025 Season Performance
Jonathan Ward’s 2025 season was marked by a series of short-term contracts and practice-squad moves across the league. He signed with the New York Giants on August 4, 2025, only to be released during final roster cuts on August 26. He then joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad on October 28, with a release on November 4, a re-signing a week later, and a final release on November 25.
On December 2, 2025, Ward signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity late in the regular season. As a depth back, his role primarily involves contributing on special teams, in practice, and as an emergency elevation option for the active roster.
Looking ahead, Ward’s path to a more permanent roster spot will depend on continued production in practice and a strong showing in any opportunities he earns. His track record of signing reserve/future contracts and surviving roster cuts suggests that he remains a valued presence in NFL locker rooms, with the chance to compete for a longer-term role in Baltimore or elsewhere in the future.