The Tennessee Titans are signing veteran outside linebacker help in the form of Jihad Ward, a source confirmed to The Tennessean.
Ward, a nine-year NFL veteran, has spent time with six franchises. He played in all 17 games for Minnesota in 2024, logging one sack and two starts. Across his career, Ward has totaled 19 sacks, including a career-high five with the New York Giants in 2023.
The Ward signing comes less than a week after the Titans had to respond to the surprise retirement of edge defender Lorenzo Carter, who the team had signed in the spring. Carter was not on the field for the start of training camp and has officially landed on the retirement list.
Ward is another big-bodied newcomer in a Titans edge rush room that also includes Dre’Mont Jones, Arden Key, Jaylen Harrell, Ali Gaye and rookie Femi Oladejo.
Ward was originally a second-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2016, where he was selected by then Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, now an advisor with the Titans.
The Titans began training camp practices on July 23.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.