Jonathan Ward provides spark for Cardinals in 1st half vs. Ravens
Aug 21, 2022, 6:29 PM | Updated: Aug 22, 2022, 2:31 am
There wasn’t much offense in the first half of the Arizona Cardinals’ second game of the 2022 preseason against the Baltimore Ravens.
After 30 minutes, the Ravens held a 10-3 lead en route to a 24-17 win over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday night to extend their record preseason winning streak that dates back to 2016 to 22 consecutive victories.
Arizona couldn’t muster much offensively, but running back Jonathan Ward provided a spark to the team in a handful of ways.
Ward, one of the Cardinals’ premier special teamers from last year, made his presence known after the Ravens opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal from Justin Tucker.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ward bolted through the middle of the field for a 48-yard return.
Almighty J Ward 💨@Almighty_jward x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/vNlqv5OLnW
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 22, 2022
Ward had three total kick returns in the half, racking up 90 yards.
The running back also made an impact by helping out the passing game, hauling in a 26-yard reception, the Cardinals’ second-longest of the half.
Ward had three carries out of the backfield in the half, going for 12 yards on the ground.
He, however, was seen heading to the locker room with trainers prior to the half’s conclusion.
Ward has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury.
It was a struggle for the Cardinals’ offense in most of the first half, failing to get on the scoreboard after a missed 54-yard field goal and a few stalled drives.
They were able to crack the scoreboard to finish the half, with a 21-yard field goal from Matt Prater.