Giants Signing OLB Jihad Ward Off Vikings’ PS

The New York Giants are signing outside linebacker Jihad Ward to their active roster off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, according to a report from Tom Pelissero. The 32-year-old returns to New York to provide depth following a season-ending injury to outside linebacker Brian Burns. Ward previously played for the Giants during the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons.

Ward was originally selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans, recording 31 tackles, five sacks, and four pass deflections across 17 games, before joining Minnesota's practice squad prior to the start of the 2026 regular season.