The play quickly warranted "Catch of the Year" consideration.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday's victory against Dallas, the Cardinals lined up in the punt formation. Up-man Chris Banjo instead received the snap, ran right, and threw a pass in the direction of running back Jonathan Ward.
Ward somehow caught the pass, despite Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright committing pass interference, by pinning the football on Wright's helmet while falling to the ground for a 23-yard gain.
Videos of the catch went viral. Ward said the biggest impact was an increase in social media followers. And the running back said people have been asking what went through his mind while making the catch.
"I felt like I had the catch once it landed in my hands," Ward said. "It was more so just keeping control of it once I hit the ground. That was probably the most exciting part to me as well throughout the catch."
The journey has been anything but smooth for Ward, now two seasons into his NFL career. He has spent time on the practice squad and is now gets the bulk of his snaps on special teams. He suffered a concussion on a hellacious special teams hit against Green Bay, sidelining him for several games.
It's yet another reason why he appreciates this moment in the spotlight -- although he emphasized that Sunday was not the first time he had made such an impressive catch.
"I've been making plays like that since high school," Ward said. "This is just the first time it's been broadcasted on television, and that's the first time I've made it with one hand. But I've made that catch two or three times with both hands. That's how I knew I had to tackle the defender when I caught the ball as well; just being put in that situation time and time again.
"(The moment) is just rewarding; all praise and glory belongs to God for (the catch) to be broadcasted on television."
CONNER, MOORE PRACTICE
Running back James Conner and wide receiver Rondale Moore returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, and coach Kliff Kingsbury said are day-to-day.
Linebacker Dennis Gardeck (thumb) was also limited.
Offensive lineman Rodney Hudson (rest), offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (rest), running back Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe), defensive lineman Corey Peters (rest), defensive lineman Zach Allen (ankle), defensive lineman Jordan Phillips (knee), cornerback Marco Wilson (shoulder), tight end Demetrius Harris (shoulder) and tight end Zach Ertz (rest) did not practice.
Wilson is day-to-day, Kingsbury said, although Kingsbury said he was pessimistic about the return from IR of cornerback Robert Alford, at least for the next two weeks.
The Seahawks had 11 players sit out practice Wednesday.
WIGGINS' PRACTICE WINDOW OPENS
The Cardinals activated safety James Wiggins Wednesday to return from the injured reserve list. Wiggins can begin practicing and the team has the next 21 days to put Wiggins on the 53-man roster.
KWAMIE LASSITER CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
The second annual Kwamie Lassiter Memorial Golf Classic will take place Thursday at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club
Cardinals alumni expected to attend include Lorenzo Alexander, Michael Bankston, Larry Centers, Ronald McKinnon, Jake Plummer, Frank Sanders, and Roger Wehrli. The event will benefit "The Kwamie Lassiter Foundation".
Lassiter spent eight seasons with the Cardinals after signing with the franchise in 1995 as an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Kansas. His four interceptions against the Chargers in 1998 ties several others for the most interceptions in an NFL game. Lassiter passed away in 2019 at age 49.
"The Kwamie Lassiter Foundation" is committed to continuing his vision by establishing opportunities that promote comprehensive awareness of healthy lifestyles and bringing awareness to Sickle Cell Anemia. In addition, KLF T.A.C.K.L.E (Teaching All Children to Kickoff Leadership in Education) seeks to "change the way children are motivated and encourage their success in education."
