Quick Info
| Profession | American football linebacker and defensive end |
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| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 11/05/1994 |
| Age | 32 years |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Latest News about Jihad Ward
The Giants released Ward after two games in his second stint with the team, where he recorded one tackle in 41 defensive snaps. The release came as the New York defense looked for reinforcements after struggling against the run.
The New York Giants signed Ward off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad to add depth to their edge group. The move followed Brian Burns being placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in Week 3.
The Minnesota Vikings signed outside linebacker Jihad Ward to their practice squad, bringing back a player who had spent the 2024 season with the team. Ward had played for the Titans in 2025, where he recorded 22 quarterback hits and matched his career-high of 5.0 sacks.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Jihad Ward is a professional American football linebacker and defensive end who was a second-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has played for several NFL teams, including two stints with the New York Giants. In September 2026 he rejoined the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, and in late September 2026 the Giants signed him from that squad. The Giants released him in October 2026 after two games in his second stint. |
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Physical Stats & More
| Height | 6'5" |
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| Weight | 285 lbs |
Educational Qualification(s)
| High School | Edward W. Bok Technical High School, Philadelphia |
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| College | Globe Institute of Technology (2012–2013); University of Illinois (2014–2015) |
Career
| NFL Draft | 2016, second round (44th overall), Las Vegas Raiders | ||||||||
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| Teams |
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| Career Totals |
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| Notable Highlights | Recorded a career-high 5.0 sacks in 2023 with the Giants and matched that mark with 5.0 sacks in 2025 with the Titans; set a career-high 22 quarterback hits in 2025 with the Titans | ||||||||
| 2026 Status | Released by the New York Giants on 20/10/2026 after two games in his second stint with the team |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Transferred to the University of Illinois from Globe Institute of Technology in New York. | |
| 2. Was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2014 and 2015 at Illinois. | |
| 3. Played for head coach John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson with the Tennessee Titans. | |
| 4. Led the Big Ten and ranked second in the FBS with four fumble recoveries during his college career at Illinois. |
