Giants turn to familiar face for edge depth

Jihad Ward is returning to the New York Giants, according to various reports. The team has signed the veteran edge defender from the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. The Giants needed additional depth at the edge position following the season-ending injury to defensive end Brian Burns, who tore his ACL. Ward, who is 32 years old, brings an 11-year career to the franchise.

He previously played for the Giants during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, tallying a combined eight sacks over the two years. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 285 pounds, Ward spent the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans, where his former Giants defensive coordinator, Dennard Wilson, was the team's defensive coordinator. That season, Ward recorded five sacks, tying his career-high set in 2023.

The Giants' head coach, John Harbaugh, also has a personal connection to Ward, as they played together for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and 2020. Ward has played in 136 regular-season games, starting 49 of them, and has amassed a total of 24 career sacks. To accommodate Ward's arrival, the Giants released veteran defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who played just one game for the team this season. Tupou may return to the practice squad.