CHICAGO – The best game of Derrick Ward’s career turned into what likely was his final game of the season.
Ward, the productive but injury-plagued running back, finally started in place of Brandon Jacobs yesterday after missing the past four games with groin and ankle problems. By halftime, Ward had 12 rushing attempts, 110 yards and a touchdown.
But with 8:06 remaining in the game, Ward went down and stayed down after a four-yard run.
“I felt a pop and the initial pain,” he said.
It was his last carry and X-rays revealed a fractured left fibula that undoubtedly will keep him out the remainder of the season. Ward said the break is more of a crack and not as severe as the season-ending injury to linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, but broken bones need months, not weeks to heal.
Ward finished with 24 carries for 154 yards.
“I’m holding out hope right now,” Ward said of returning this season. “We’ll see the severity of it.”