With three rushers working through injuries on a short week, the New England Patriots have brought back another.
The organization announced the re-signing of running back Jonathan Ward to the practice squad
on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, wide receiver Brenden Rice has been released.
Both were recently part of the opposite transactions in Foxborough.
Ward, 28, signed at the end of October after making previous stops with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound veteran was released from the practice last week.
Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan in 2020, Ward stands 46 games in. His career includes 91 yards across 22 carries, 52 yards across six catches and one touchdown.
Rice, 23, joined the practice squad last week after previously visiting for a workout in September. Selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft at No. 225 overall, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound wideout appeared in three games during his rookie season. He logged 13 snaps between offense and special teams.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice began his collegiate career at Colorado before transferring to USC. Across 26 games with the Trojans, he caught 84 passes for 1,402 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings were all projected as limited participants on the initial injury report. Beyond the 53-man roster’s depth chart, D’Ernest Johnson has served as a back-to-back standard elevation from a practice squad that also features Rushawn Baker.
The Jets visit Gillette Stadium for an 8:15 p.m. ET AFC East kickoff on Thursday.
