Giants Release Jihad Ward After Two Games

The New York Giants have released linebacker Jihad Ward after two games in his second stint with the team, according to reports published October 20, 2026. New York signed the 32-year-old veteran from the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad to reinforce its defensive front after injuries depleted its pass-rushing options, but he recorded just one tackle in 41 defensive snaps. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo first reported the move, according to Big Blue View.

Ward joined the Giants in early October after Brian Burns suffered a season-ending torn ACL and defensive lineman Chauncey Golston sustained a neck injury that placed him on injured reserve. Ward was inactive for New York's Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals before playing against Washington and New Orleans. His latest appearance came during a difficult stretch for the Giants' defense, which has struggled to stop opposing rushing attacks.

The roster move could create a path for linebacker Trace Ford to join the 53-man roster. Ford has exhausted his practice squad elevation opportunities after appearing in the Giants' previous three games, recording eight tackles across 49 defensive snaps and participating in 78 special teams snaps, according to Big Blue View.

Ward previously played for New York during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, appearing in 34 games with 20 starts. According to Sports Illustrated, he accumulated 67 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and eight sacks during that first stint. The veteran also has connections to the Giants' coaching staff. He played under head coach John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and 2020 and worked with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson at the Tennessee Titans in 2025.

Ward recorded a career-high 5.0 sacks with Tennessee in 2025, making him a familiar option for Wilson when New York needed additional help along the edge. However, his brief return produced limited statistical results, and the Giants have now decided to move on. New York's defensive depth has remained a concern since the team traded Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals before the draft. The Giants also lost Burns for the season and placed Golston on injured reserve, increasing the pressure on their remaining defensive linemen and outside linebackers.

The team's struggles against the run have been particularly pronounced. According to Sports Illustrated, New York allowed at least 120 rushing yards in four of its first six games, including 202 yards against Washington and 175 against New Orleans in its two most recent games. The same report noted a significant difference when starting defensive linemen D.J.

Reader and Shelby Harris were available together. Opponents averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt with both players on the field, compared with 6.2 yards when they were not on the field together. Ward entered the NFL as a second-round selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2016 draft.

His professional career also included stops with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Giants, Vikings and Titans before New York brought him back in 2026.

The Giants have also evaluated potential reinforcements at nose tackle, holding tryouts for Jahmeer Carter and Taki Taimani, according to Sports Illustrated. The team had not confirmed whether either player would join the roster at the time of the report.