NY Giants sign OLB Trace Ford to the 53-man roster

The New York Giants are signing outside linebacker Trace Ford to their active 53-man roster, according to a report from Dan Duggan. The 25-year-old edge defender originally joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma after the 2025 NFL Draft. After spending his rookie year on the practice squad, Ford had been elevated to the active roster for each of the team's last three games.

Ford fills the roster spot vacated by veteran Jihad Ward, who was released earlier on Tuesday. Ford has served as the primary backup spelling starters Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux during recent games against the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. Chris Pflum of Big Blue View writes that Ford plays with a wide-open motor and has earned the coaching staff's trust through his steady rotation play.