Greg Ward

Gregory Mario Ward Jr. (born July 12, 1995) is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Houston as a quarterback, and converted to wide receiver after going undrafted following his college career. He was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad in 2017 when they won Super Bowl LII. He also played for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019.

Greg Ward
refer to caption
Ward in January 2021
No. 84 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-12) July 12, 1995
Tyler, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:John Tyler (Tyler, Texas)
College:Houston
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Receptions:88
Receiving yards:768
Receiving touchdowns:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Gregory Mario Ward Jr. was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. One of four children, Ward grew up in a "modest ranch house."[1] Ward's father worked as a truck driver and Pentecostal pastor.[1]

Ward graduated from John Tyler High School in 2013. As a senior, he passed for 4,202 yards, 39 touchdowns along with 861 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and also won Player of the Year in Texas High School football. As a junior, he threw for 3,596 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,212 yards with 18 touchdowns. He played wide receiver his sophomore year and recorded 53 receptions for 667 yards with eight touchdowns. Ward was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to the University of Houston to play college football.[2][3]

College career
Greg Ward Jr. in 2016

As a true freshman at Houston in 2013, Ward appeared in 10 games as a backup quarterback and wide receiver. He passed for 310 yards with a passing touchdown, rushed for 176 yards with two touchdowns and had 95 receiving yards and a touchdown. Ward started his sophomore year as a starting wide receiver, recording 15 receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. In October, Ward took over as the starting quarterback, replacing the benched John O'Korn.[4][5] He started the final eight games, completing 177-of-263 passes for 2,010 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 573 rushing yards with six touchdowns. Ward remained Houston's starter his junior year in 2015.[6][7] He was named the MVP of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game after rushing for 148 yards and two touchdowns.[8] On December 31, 2015, Ward helped the Cougars win the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 9 Florida State and was named Offensive Player of the Game.

College statistics
PassingRushing
YearTeamGPCmpAttPctYardsTDsIntYardsAvgTDs
2013Houston10192965.5310101763.92
2014Houston1317726367.32,0101275734.96
2015Houston1423134567.02,8271761,1145.721
2016Houston1231946968.03,55722135182.610
College Totals497461,10667.88,70452262,3814.339

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 10+3⁄4 in
(1.80 m)		 186 lb
(84 kg)		 31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m)		 9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		4.59 s1.56 s2.69 s4.31 s6.90 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		10 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day[9][10][11]

Philadelphia Eagles

Ward signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2017.[12] He was waived on September 2, 2017 and was signed to the Eagles' practice squad the next day.[13][14] He was released on September 12, 2017,[15] and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 18.[16] While Ward was on their practice squad, the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.[17]

Ward signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on February 7, 2018.[18] On September 1, 2018, he was waived by the Eagles and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[19][20] He was released on September 7, 2018.[21]

San Antonio Commanders

On January 1, 2019, Ward signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF. He recorded 22 receptions for 214 yards in the eight games the league lasted.[22][23]

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
Ward in a game against the Washington Redskins

After the AAF suspended football operations, Ward re-signed with the Eagles for one year on April 9, 2019.[24] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019,[25] but was re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[26] He was promoted to the team's active roster on September 21, following injuries to DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery.[27] He made his NFL debut in a week 3 game against the Detroit Lions, but was waived again on September 24.[28] He re-signed to the team's practice squad again on September 26. He was promoted to the active roster again on November 23, 2019.[29] He caught six passes in the Eagles 17-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, totaling 40 yards.[30] In Week 15 against the Washington Redskins, Ward caught seven passes for 61 yards and his first touchdown of his NFL career in the Eagles' 37–27 win against the Redskins.[31] Ward finished the 2019 season with 28 receptions for 254 yards.[32]

In week 3 of the 2020 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ward caught 8 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in the 23-23 tie. In Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, Ward caught the first career touchdown pass thrown by rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts during the 30–16 loss. In week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, Ward caught 4 passes including 2 touchdowns in the 33-26 loss.[33] Ward finished the 2020 season with 53 receptions for 419 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 16 games.[34]

Ward signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Eagles on March 29, 2021.[35] In 2021, Ward took a reserve role in the receiving corps after the Eagles drafted DeVonta Smith. He ended the season with 7 catches for 95 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he was used in trick plays as a passer, ultimately completing one pass for 2 yards.[36]

While he initially wasn't tendered by the Eagles in the 2022 offseason, Ward signed a new one-year deal with the team on March 15.[37] He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2022.[38] He was released on September 9. On October 24, he was brought back to the practice squad.[39]

On August 29, 2023, Ward was waived by the Eagles and re-signed to the practice squad.[40][41]

NFL career statistics

Regular season
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2019PHI 73282549.138100
2020PHI 1610534197.932620
2021PHI 17079513.627300
Total4013887688.7381020
Source: NFL.com

Postseason
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2019PHI 113248.016000
2021PHI 100000000
Total113248.016000
Source: NFL.com

References
  1. Thamel, Pete (August 15, 2016). "When opposites attack: Boisterous Tom Herman, quiet Greg Ward Jr. Jr. combine to put Houston in playoff conversation". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  2. "Greg Ward Jr". Yahoo! Sports.
  3. Sayles, Damon (June 20, 2012). "ATH Greg Ward Jr. commits to Houston". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. Duarte, Joseph (October 5, 2014). "Ward to replace O'Korn as UH's starting QB". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  5. Stukenborg, Phil (October 9, 2014). "Tigers brace for new, dual-threat Houston QB". www.commercialappeal.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  6. Khan Jr., Sam (November 13, 2015). "Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is gaining attention". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  7. Duarte, Joseph (October 15, 2015). "Explosive UH QB Ward lands in Heisman discussion". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  8. Zwerneman, Brent (December 5, 2015). "UH's Greg Ward Jr. Jr. solidifies his role as game-breaker in AAC title game". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  9. "NFL Draft Scout: Greg Ward Jr". NFL.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  10. "Greg Ward Jr., Houston, WR, 2017 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  11. "Greg Ward 2017 NFL Draft Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  12. "Check Out The Full Rookie Camp Roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. May 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017.
  13. "Eagles Announce 17 Roster Moves To Get Down To 53 Players". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017.
  14. "Eagles Announce 10-Man Practice Squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018.
  15. George, David (September 12, 2017). "Eagles Agree To Terms With K Jake Elliott; Place Caleb Sturgis On Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  16. Gowton, Brandon Lee (September 18, 2017). "Eagles cut practice squad tackle to bring back a wide receiver". BleedingGreenNation.com. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  17. Jones, Lindsay H. (February 4, 2018). "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  18. George, David (February 7, 2018). "Roster Moves: Eagles Bring Back Six For 2018". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  19. McPherson, Chris (September 1, 2018). "Eagles Get To The 53-Player Limit". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  20. Foley, Graham (September 2, 2018). "Eagles Sign 10 Players To Practice Squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  21. Gowton, Brandon Lee (September 7, 2018). "Philadelphia Eagles cut three practice squad players, sign one". BleedingGreenNation.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  22. "Nick Temple trying to make big impression with Commanders". 210 Football. January 12, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  23. Luca, Greg (January 27, 2019). "Former Houston teammates Ward, Ayers reunited with San Antonio Commanders". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  24. Berman, Zach (April 9, 2019). "Eagles sign three former AAF players: quarterback Luis Perez, receivers Greg Ward and Charles Johnson". Philly.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  25. "Eagles announce roster moves as team gets to 53-player limit". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  26. McPherson, Chris (September 1, 2019). "Eagles agree to terms with nine practice squad players". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  27. McPherson, Chris (September 21, 2019). "Eagles promote WR Greg Ward from the practice squad, place Jordan Mailata on Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  28. Schaller, Olivia (September 24, 2019). "Eagles promote CB Craig James from the practice squad to the active roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  29. McPherson, Chris (November 23, 2019). "Eagles promote WR Greg Ward from practice squad, place S Rudy Ford on Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  30. "Seahawks vs. Eagles - Game Summary - November 24, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  31. "Eagles vs. Redskins - Game Summary - December 15, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  32. "Greg Ward 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  33. "Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers - December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  34. "Greg Ward 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  35. Alper, Josh (March 29, 2021). "Greg Ward re-signs with Eagles". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  36. "Greg Ward 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  37. Gowton, Brandon Lee (March 15, 2022). "Eagles agree to terms with Greg Ward and Andre Chachere, reportedly won't tender Boston Scott". Bleeding Green Nation. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  38. McPherson, Chris (August 30, 2022). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  39. Gowton, Brandon Lee (October 24, 2022). "Eagles bring a familiar face back to the practice squad". SB Nation.
  40. Spadaro, Dave; McPherson, Chris (August 29, 2023). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  41. "Eagles announce practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. August 30, 2023.
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