The New York Giants are signing a new running back, with rookies Cam Skattebo and Rushawn Baker both sidelined with injury at training camp.
FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz was among those reporting the news on August 4.
“The Giants are expected to sign veteran RB Jonathan Ward following a workout, per source,” Schultz informed. Adding: “New York had been exploring options at the position after rookie Cam Skattebo (hamstring) and undrafted rookie Rushawn Baker (knee) suffered minor injuries.”
Ward is an NFL journeyman with a ton of experience on special teams (612 ST snaps) throughout his career. He will enter Giants training camp at age 27, but will turn 28 years old on September 30.
Ward has appeared in regular season outings with the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, and was most recently with the latter in 2024. He holds a career yards per carry average of 4.1 yards, but has only been handed the ball 22 times since 2020.
The veteran has also recorded 6 catches for 52 yards and 1 touchdown.
Latest on the Cam Skattebo Injury at Giants Training Camp Amid RB Signing
Before Monday’s practice, there was another update on Skattebo’s hamstring injury on August 4, via head coach Brian Daboll.
Skattebo first left practice with a trainer on Friday, August 1, appearing notably frustrated at the time. On Saturday, August 2, Daboll then told reporters that this is more of a day-to-day injury than a multi-week absence, but was not willing to divulge any more information than that.
NorthJersey.com beat reporter Art Stapleton relayed the latest from the Giants’ HC on Monday.
“Cam Skattebo is improving,” Stapleton reported. “Tests on his leg came back clean. Will see how quickly he can ramp back up as to not risk further soft tissue issues.”
As Stapleton alluded, the Giants will have to be careful with Skattebo’s leg, if it is indeed a hamstring injury as many have reported. These soft-tissue injuries can be tricky, and sometimes, if a player rushes back too soon, they are then at serious risk of major injury.
Big Blue cannot afford to lose Skattebo long-term, as he has already looked the part of an impact playmaker at training camp before his injury.
Giants Waive RB Rushawn Baker With Injury, Transfer Vet Linebacker to Long-Term IR
The Giants concluded their roster moves later in the day on August 4, per ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan.
“Some Giants roster moves,” Raanan relayed. “LB Ty Summers placed on reserve/injured list. RB Rushawn Baker was waived/injured. RB Jonathan Ward and LB K.J. Cloud were signed to the roster in their place.”
So, both Baker and Summers are exiting the 90-man roster with the latter being retained on season-ending IR. Baker will hit waivers for now and likely revert to season-ending IR if he goes unclaimed.
Both Baker and Summers could also challenge their placement on the injured reserve by seeking an injury settlement at a later date.
Along with Ward, the Giants have re-signed linebacker K.J. Cloud, who was with the team in 2024.
Cloud appeared in two preseason outings for the Giants last summer as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville and Miami. He racked up 21 total tackles during his brief stint with Big Blue but did not make the 53-man roster.
Giants Make Training Camp RB Signing After Cam Skattebo Injury: Report