Giants RB Ward has broken leg

Dec 3, 2007 - 8:44 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Derrick Ward's career day ended in devastating disappointment.

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed Monday that Ward suffered a broken left leg in Sunday's 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears and will miss the remainder of the season.

"It is a left fibula fracture and at this point in time it doesn't appear to be surgical, but he will be out," Coughlin said.

The news 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 a team-high 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 New York 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 good news for the Giants (8-4) is that Brandon Jacobs is ready to return after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Jacobs has rushed for 599 yards this season.

With Jacobs coming back, Reuben Droughns likely will be used as the Giants' backup.

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 Daily News. "(Injuries) are just a part of the game ... inevitable, pretty much. I had an unfortunate ankle accident. There is always next year."

Despite the injuries to Jacobs and Ward, the Giants have a two-game lead in the NFC wild card race.