Vikings bring back veteran pass rusher Jihad Ward

The Vikings added more veteran pass-rushing depth to their practice squad on Wednesday, signing edge rusher Jihad Ward, who is returning to the organization after spending the 2025 season in Tennessee.

Ward, 32, played for the Vikings in 2024, appearing in 17 games and starting two, during which he registered 10 total tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

Last season with the Titans, he played in 17 games, starting 12, and accumulated 31 total tackles, five sacks, and four passes defended.

Ward is the latest veteran to ink a deal with the Vikings ahead of their Week One game against the Packers. Free agent linebacker Kyle Van Noy signed with Minnesota last week, also to the practice squad.

Over the weekend, legendary safety Harrison Smith signed a one-year contract to return to the Vikings for his 15th season with the only NFL team he’s ever played for.

Originally a second-round pick by the Raiders in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ward has played in 136 games across 10 NFL seasons for seven different franchises. Ward has logged 24 sacks throughout his career.