Giants Swoop in on Another Minnesota Viking

October 1, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It’s been a busy week for the New York Giants when it comes to hunting Minnesota Vikings talent. Not only did they trade for beleaguered quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but they went fishing for defensive line help as well.

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While the Minnesota offense has yet to click with Kyler Murray under center, Brian Flores has the Vikings’ defense already in midseason form. That’s in large part thanks to a group of pass rushers that has stayed relatively healthy.

Jihad Ward leaves MN Vikings for Giants

While that’s good news for Vikings fans, its left depth guys Jihad Ward toiling on the practice squad. Not anymore, however… at least not for Ward. On Wednesday, his former team, the NY Giants, swooped in and signed Ward to their active roster.

Reunion: The Giants are signing edge Jihad Ward off the Vikings practice squad, per source.

Ward played for NYG in 2022 and ‘23. Reinforcements after Brian Burns’ injury.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 30, 2026

Once a second-round pick (44th overall in 2016) by the Oakland Raiders, Jihad Ward played in 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season. He was with the Tennessee Titans in 2025 before signing back in Minnesota as a member of the practice squad earlier this month. Now he’ll join J.J. McCarthy in New York.

The Giants need the pass rushing help after Brian Burns tore his ACL in last Sunday’s win over the Titans. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Monday that Burns is done for the season.

Thus, Ward — who ever appeared in a regular season game for the Vikings — went straight onto New York’s 53-man roster. Josh Tupou was released to make room.

More on Ward’s fit with Giants

Despite being an 11-year veteran, Ward has never spent more than two consecutive seasons with the same team. His 34 games (20 starts) with the Giants are the most he has with any team.

John Harbaugh is a different head coach than Brian Daboll, who led the team in 2023. However, Joe Schoen remains the general manager. Ward’s 5.0 sacks that season were a career-high he later matched in Tennessee, and he has proven to be a productive player when given a chance.

Jihad Ward is being signed to the Giants roster from the Vikings practice squad. Here is every 2025 sack he had with the Titans with Dennard Wilson as DC pic.twitter.com/ONOuHj2RzD
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) September 30, 2026

It will be interesting to see whether Ward or McCarthy sees the field first for New York. The former already is comfortable within the organization and knows his job is to take down the opposing offense. The latter has struggled to stay on the field and is currently positioned behind Jameis Winston.

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