Giants RB Ward out for season

Dec 4, 2007 - 9:18 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New York Giants officially lost their leading rusher for the remainder of the season Tuesday when Derrick Ward was placed on injured reserve.

Ward suffered a broken left leg in Sunday's 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears. The news put a damper on an otherwise outstanding day for Ward, who rushed for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown.

The 5-11 Ward had missed New York's previous four games with injuries to his groin and ankle. But the 27-year-old had 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.

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

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, 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.

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

To replace Ward on the roster, the Giants signed running back Danny Ware off the New York Jets' practice squad.