John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that the New York Giants have reached an agreement to re-sign free agent running back Derrick Ward.

According to Clayton, the deal is one-year, $1.1 million deal with incentives that could allow him to make another $1 million.

Ward got off to a strong start to the 2007 season, starting four of the Giants’ first five games in place of the injured Brandon Jacobs and playing more or less the same role in the offense that Tiki Barber had in 2006. But then Ward himself got hurt and missed four games. He returned for one more game, carrying 24 times for 154 yards and leading the Giants to a win over the Chicago Bears, but got hurt again and missed the rest of the season and the playoffs.

Ward re-joins a crowded backfield in New York. He will likely compete for playing time with Ahmad Bradshaw as the backup to Jacobs.