After placing Justice Hill on the injured reserve list on Saturday, the Ravens had to find another running back. The Ravens brought three running backs in for Monday’s workouts. Ward won out over 2022 third rounder Tyrion Davies-Price and Undrafted rookie Ahmani Marsh for a spot on the practice squad.

Ward, 28, played for three teams and spent time on four others in his five-year professional career. He played 612 snaps for special teams, and only 80 for offense. During the preseason, he was with the Giants and spent the majority of November in the Patriots practice squad. In 2024, he played his last regular season game with the Steelers. He did not appear in any of their games against the Ravens.

Baltimore has not signed any of its former running backs, who are now free agents. These include Gus Edwards (2023-2023), John Kelly (2024) and Owen Wright (2023-2024). Edwards’ injury record and lack of impact on special teams makes his omission unsurprising. Kelly returned kicks for Baltimore, and Wright was set to make the 53-man team last year until he broke his foot at the end of the preseason.

Ward was likely chosen by the Ravens because of his ability to play on both coverage and return teams, even though he is not himself a punter or kicker. Both Chandler Martin and Jay Higgins, undrafted rookie linebackers who played on the Ravens’ core special teams this year, are now both on IR due to knee injuries. Martin will miss the entire season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Higgins is not expected back until next year. Derrick Henry can cover all Ravens backfield snaps. Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali are also available. Ward may be activated for special teams on game days.

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