Report: Giants RB Ward has broken leg

Dec 3, 2007 - 4:49 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Derrick Ward's career day evidently ended in devastating disappointment.

Ward suffered a fractured left fibula in the New York Giants' 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears, according to a report early Monday morning on the New York Daily News' web site.

According to a report, Ward will undergo an MRI on Monday.

"I'm holding out hope right now," Ward told the newspaper. "We will see the severity of it, and hopefully it is not that bad. But if it is, we have other running backs.

"Mine isn't a complete break. Mine is a fracture, a little line."

The news concerning the injury certainly would put a damper on an otherwise outstanding day for Ward, who rushed for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's comeback win.

The 5-11 Ward had missed New York's previous four games with injuries to his groin and ankle. But the 27-year-old has been effective when healthy this season, rushing for 602 yards and three TDs while hauling in 26 receptions for 179 yards and one score in eight games.

"Derrick has been a really great player for us," Giants center Shaun O'Hara told the Daily News. "The injury bug has been his biggest enemy, and I think that each and every one of us feels bad for him. We would love to change what happened to him."

Ward was replaced Sunday by Reuben Droughns, who scored the go-ahead 2-yard TD with 1:33 remaining Sunday.

The Giants (8-4) likely will use Droughns as their primary running back until injured starter Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) is healthy.

Droughns has been solid as a replacement to Jacobs and Ward this season, rushing for 247 yards and six TDs in limited action.

"Brandon Jacobs will be back this week, Reuben has proven himself," Ward told the newspaper. "(Injuries) are just a part of the game ... inevitable, pretty much. I had an unfortunate ankle accident. There is always next year."