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Jihad Ward
Jihad Ward
from Wikipedia

Jihad Ward (/ɪˈhɑːd/ jih-HAHD;[1] born May 11, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Ward has also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings.

Key Information

Early life

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Ward attended Edward W. Bok Technical High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He didn't play football until his sophomore year. He began as a wide receiver and safety, before being converted into a stand up defensive end as a junior.

He received second-team All-City (2010) and first-team All-City (2011) honors. He also practiced basketball.

College career

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Ward attended Globe Institute of Technology for two years to improve his grades.[3] In 2013, he played in 7 games, making 26 tackles (3 for loss) and 2 sacks.

In 2014, he transferred to the University of Illinois.[4] He was named a starter at defensive end in the fourth game of the season. He posted 51 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries (led the conference), 2 forced fumbles, and one pass defended.[5][6]

As a senior, he started all 12 games, playing both at defensive end and defensive tackle. He registered 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.[7] Against the University of Iowa, he had a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo.

In his last two years, he had 104 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three passes defensed.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Coming out of college, most analysts projected Ward to be a second or third round selection. Although analysts had said he has above average athletic ability for a man his size, can play both end spots in a 3–4 or 4–3, is large enough to play defensive tackle in 4–3, and could become a quality pass rusher in the NFL, he was also seen as a developmental project who needs improvement in his power, and has inconsistent balance in contact.[9]

Ward was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and also participated at Illinois' Pro Day and even improved on the majority of his combine numbers. Representatives and scouts from all 32 teams showed up at Illinois' Pro Day, which was run by head coach Lovie Smith. Defensive line coaches from the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Houston Texans came especially to watch Ward perform.[10]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+18 in
(1.96 m)
297 lb
(135 kg)
33+78 in
(0.86 m)
9+38 in
(0.24 m)
5.09 s 1.80 s 2.96 s 4.63 s 7.38 s 28.0 in
(0.71 m)
9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)
22 reps
All values from NFL Scouting Combine/Pro Day[9][11]

Oakland Raiders

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Ward was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round (44th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft, after dropping because he had a knee injury that was expected to require arthroscopic surgery.[12] Ward didn't participate much in organized team activities during the offseason.[citation needed] Ward finished his rookie season with 30 tackles in 16 games, 13 of which were starts.[13]

On July 6, 2017, it was revealed that he had surgery on his left foot after injuring it during a workout, putting him out of action until mid-August.[14] The injury limited him during the season, playing in only five games and was declared inactive in ten contests.[15]

Dallas Cowboys

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On April 28, 2018, the Raiders traded Ward to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Ryan Switzer.[16] Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli coached Ward in the 2016 Senior Bowl.

On September 1, 2018, the Cowboys waived Ward during final roster cuts.[17]

Indianapolis Colts

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Jihad Ward in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2018

On September 3, 2018, the Indianapolis Colts signed Ward to their practice squad.[18] The team promoted him to the active roster on September 13, 2018.[19] He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2018, with an ankle injury.[20] Despite only playing in six games in the 2018 season, he recorded three sacks.[21]

On October 1, 2019, Ward was released by the Colts.[22]

Baltimore Ravens

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On October 7, 2019, Ward was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.[23] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 14 games and had one sack.[24]

On March 21, 2020, Ward re-signed with the Ravens.[25] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 26, 2020,[26] and activated on December 5, 2020.[27] He appeared in ten games in the 2020 season. He had three sacks, 16 total tackles, and two passes defended.[28]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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On March 17, 2021, Ward signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[29] Ward appeared in all 17 games and started one. He recorded two sacks and 32 total tackles (ten solo).[30]

New York Giants

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On March 21, 2022, Ward signed with the New York Giants on a one-year contract.[31] He played in 17 games with 11 starts, recording a career-high 43 tackles and three sacks.[32]

Ward re-signed with the Giants on March 29, 2023.[33] He played in all 17 games with nine starts. recording a career-high five sacks.[34]

Minnesota Vikings

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On March 20, 2024, Ward signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[35] He finished the 2024 season with one sack, ten tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery.[36]

Tennessee Titans

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On July 24, 2025, Ward signed with the Tennessee Titans.[37]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD
2016 OAK 16 13 30 16 14 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2017 OAK 5 1 2 1 1 1.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 IND 6 0 4 4 0 3.0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 IND 3 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
BAL 11 0 7 3 4 1.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0
2020 BAL 10 0 16 7 9 3.0 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
2021 JAX 17 1 32 10 22 2.0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 NYG 17 11 43 28 15 3.0 7 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0
2023 NYG 17 9 24 16 8 5.0 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 0
2024 MIN 17 2 10 5 5 1.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0
2025 TEN 17 12 31 15 16 5.0 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
Career 136 49 199 105 94 24.0 29 0 0 0.0 0 0 12 3 0 5 11 0

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD
2019 BAL 1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 BAL 2 0 3 3 0 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 NYG 2 1 3 3 0 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 MIN 1 1 2 0 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 6 2 10 8 2 0.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

Ward is Muslim. He has said that his name, Jihad, which is popular where he was raised in Philadelphia, has been misunderstood due to the negative connotations associated with the term, which has been used to describe Islamic violence against non-Muslims.[38]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Jihad Ward (born May 11, 1994) is an American football outside linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Ward attended the University of Illinois, where he played defensive line and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2014 and 2015 after leading the Football Bowl Subdivision with four fumble recoveries as a sophomore. Selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round (44th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, he transitioned between defensive end and outside linebacker roles across eight teams, including stints with the Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Titans. In 130 career games with 41 starts, Ward has recorded 180 tackles, 20 sacks, and 25 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a durable rotational edge defender despite frequent team changes. He signed a one-year contract with the Titans in July 2025, continuing his journeyman trajectory from Philadelphia roots through junior college hardships to professional longevity.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Jihad Ward was born on April 8, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was raised in a single-parent in by his mother, Kareema Ward, who gave birth to him at age 17 and served as both mother and father figure in his life. Ward's biological father was absent throughout his childhood; a man he initially believed to be his father was revealed not to be via paternity test at age 17, after which he met his actual biological father only briefly at a family event. As the eldest of five siblings—all younger than him—Ward assumed the role of "man of the house" in their welfare-supported family, particularly after the death of his older brother , who was 11 years his senior and acted as a protector until he was shot and killed when Ward was 18. The family resided in a three-story building at the corner of Lehigh Avenue and 16th Street in a neighborhood plagued by , abandoned properties, and frequent shootings, where parents often restricted children from playing outside due to risks. Ward's mother, who converted to around 2005, chose his name after a childhood acquaintance but later embraced its connotations of perseverance amid hardship. He honors her by wearing jersey number 17.

High school career

Ward attended Edward Bok Technical High School (also known as Edward Bok Vo-Tech High School) in , , where he played football as a . He appeared on the school's roster for the 2009 and 2011 seasons, competing in the Public League. Detailed game statistics from his high school tenure are not publicly archived in major sports databases, reflecting the limited national exposure of Philadelphia Public League programs during that era. In January 2012, Ward received recruiting recognition as one of the Top 25 Defensive Ends nationwide, highlighting his potential as a pass rusher despite playing in a competitive but regionally focused league. This accolade underscored his athletic traits, including size and explosiveness, which later drew interest from junior colleges. He graduated with the class of 2012.

College career

University of Illinois Fighting Illini

Ward transferred to the University of Illinois from Globe Institute of Technology, a junior college in New York, prior to the 2014 season after failing to meet academic qualifications out of high school. As a defensive lineman primarily playing defensive end, he started all 13 games in his junior year of 2014, accumulating 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries—ranking second in the FBS in the latter statistic. Ward earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition that season and was named the team's Defensive Newcomer of the Year; a standout performance came against Northwestern, where he recorded a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in a single game. In 2015, Ward's senior year, he started all 12 games and led the team with 53 tackles, adding 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His career-high 11 tackles occurred against on October 10, 2015. He received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors again and was placed on the midseason watch list for the , recognizing the nation's top . Over two seasons with the Fighting Illini, Ward totaled 104 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups, contributing significantly to the defensive line during a period of roster rebuilding under head coach .

Professional career

Pre-draft evaluations and

Ward impressed scouts at the , where he measured 6 feet 5⅛ inches tall and 296 pounds, with 33⅝-inch arms and 9⅜-inch hands, and stood out in practices with his power, athleticism, and ability to compete against higher-profile offensive linemen. His performance there marked him as a riser, showcasing quickness off the line and versatility to play multiple defensive line positions despite limited college production. At the and Illinois Pro Day, Ward recorded a in the 5.07-5.11 second range, 22 reps, a 28-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-2-inch broad jump, a 4.78-second short shuttle, and a 7.45-second three-cone drill, highlighting his agility for a player of his size but revealing average straight-line speed. Scouting reports praised Ward's rare combination of length, strength, and movement skills for a 300-pound lineman, projecting him as a fit for 3-4 or even 4-3 roles due to his hip quickness, hand usage, and range in space. However, evaluators noted concerns over his inconsistent college statistics—54 tackles and 4.5 sacks over 39 games—and lack of elite burst or power flash on tape, with some outlets grading him as a mid-to-late round prospect prior to his surge. A injury from early in his senior season—a small that required scoping—further clouded his stock, raising fears of potential additional surgery and contributing to his draft slide despite medical clearance. The selected Ward in the second round (44th overall) of the on April 29, viewing him as an athletic complement to their 3-4 base defense with scheme versatility and upside as a 5-technique end. Post-draft, Ward signed a four-year contract worth $6.196 million, including a $2.289 million , reflecting the Raiders' investment in his physical tools despite the injury risks.

Oakland Raiders (2016–2017)

Ward was selected by the in the second round (44th overall) of the . Pre-draft evaluations noted a injury from his college career that might require arthroscopic , yet the Raiders proceeded with the pick to add defensive line depth. As a in 2016, Ward appeared in 16 games, starting 13, and recorded 30 total tackles (16 solo, 14 assisted), one fumble recovery, and 10 hits, while logging 636 defensive snaps (61% of team total). He failed to record a sack that season despite the opportunity. In 2017, Ward's playing time was limited by a foot injury that delayed his participation and activation. He played in five games with one start, tallying two tackles, his first sack (on on December 25), one tackle for loss, and one hit over 125 snaps (39% of team total). Over his two seasons with the Raiders, Ward appeared in 21 games with 14 starts, accumulating 32 tackles and one sack.

Dallas Cowboys (2018)

On April 28, 2018, the Oakland Raiders traded defensive lineman Jihad Ward to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver and return specialist Ryan Switzer. The move reunited Ward with Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's scheme, where Ward was projected to compete for a rotational role on the defensive line, leveraging his experience as a 3-4 defensive end from his Raiders tenure. During the 2018 preseason, Ward appeared in four games for Dallas, recording limited statistics including one sack in the final exhibition against the Houston Texans on August 30, but he struggled to secure a consistent spot amid competition from established linemen like DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford. Ward did not play in any regular-season games for the , as the team waived him on , 2018, as part of final roster cuts to reach the NFL's 53-player limit. His brief stint highlighted challenges in translating prior draft pedigree—a 2016 second-round pick—into on-field impact, with scouts noting his athleticism but critiquing inconsistent production against NFL offensive lines.

Indianapolis Colts (2018)

Ward signed with the ' practice squad on September 3, 2018, shortly after being released by the following their final roster cuts. He was elevated to the active roster on September 13, 2018, providing depth on the defensive line amid early-season injuries. In six games with four starts during the 2018 season, Ward appeared in a rotational capacity, recording four combined tackles and a -high three sacks, along with three tackles for loss. These sacks marked his most productive stretch to that point, contributing to the Colts' defensive efforts before his tenure ended prematurely. On October 26, 2018, Ward suffered an ankle injury serious enough to warrant placement on injured reserve, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. This injury halted what had been a resurgent opportunity for Ward, who had been vying for a larger role after limited production in prior stops.

Baltimore Ravens (2019)

Ward signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent on October 8, 2019, shortly after being released by the Indianapolis Colts on October 1. During the 2019 season, he appeared in 11 games primarily as a rotational defensive end, contributing to the Ravens' defensive line rotation. In those appearances, Ward recorded 7 total tackles, 1 sack, 4 quarterback hits, and 2 fumble recoveries, with his sack coming against the on December 29, 2019. His limited statistical output belied a rotational role valued by the team for pass-rush depth, as the Ravens finished the regular season with a league-best 14-2 record and the NFL's top-ranked defense in points allowed per game (16.6). Ward did not record statistics in the Ravens' playoff loss to the in the divisional round.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)

Ward signed with the as an unrestricted on March 16, 2021, reuniting with defensive coordinator Joe Cullen and several other former coaches. In the , Ward appeared in all 17 games for the Jaguars, starting one, and recorded 32 total tackles (10 solo, 22 assisted), 2.0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 7 quarterback hits. His sacks came against the on October 17 (0.5 sack) and the on October 31 (1.5 sacks). Ward primarily contributed as a rotational , providing depth on the line amid the Jaguars' rebuilding defensive front under head coach . He was released by the Jaguars on August 28, , prior to the start of the 2022 season.

New York Giants (2021)

Jihad Ward did not play for the during the , as he remained under contract with the , appearing in all 17 regular-season games with one start. His transaction history shows no involvement with the Giants until the following offseason, when he signed a one-year deal worth approximately $1.5 million as an unrestricted on March 21, 2022. This agreement marked his first association with the franchise, aimed at bolstering the defensive line amid roster needs.

Minnesota Vikings (2022)

Ward did not play for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2022 NFL season, as he spent that year with the , appearing in all 17 games with 11 starts, recording 43 total tackles (28 solo), 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defended. His first association with the Vikings occurred in 2024, when he signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 20. No transactions or roster involvement linking Ward to the Vikings in 2022 appear in official records or team announcements.

Tennessee Titans (2023–present)

Ward signed with the as an unrestricted on July 24, 2025, agreeing to a one-year valued at $1.405 million, which included a $50,000 . The move added veteran depth to the Titans' outside linebacker group and unit, drawing on Ward's experience from 119 prior games across multiple teams. During the 2025 preseason, Ward contributed to the defensive effort by recording a 7-yard sack on in a on August 9. In the opener and subsequent weeks, he has rotated into the lineup, providing rotational snaps primarily as an edge defender with occasional interior alignment to create matchup advantages against offensive lines. As of Week 7 in the 2025 season, Ward has appeared in 7 games with 2 starts, accumulating 12 combined tackles (7 solo, 5 assisted), 1 sack, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended. Advanced metrics from indicate he has generated 14 pressures on 234 pass-rush snaps, earning an overall grade of 58.7, which ranks him mid-tier among edge defenders league-wide. Ward has emphasized maximizing limited opportunities in post-practice comments, reflecting his role as a depth player on a rebuilding Titans defense.

Career statistics

Regular season and postseason totals

Over his NFL career through the 2025 season, Jihad Ward has played in 126 regular-season games, recording 180 combined tackles (97 solo, 83 assisted), 20.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 10 passes defended. In the postseason, he has appeared in 6 games across multiple teams, tallying 10 combined tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted).
StatisticRegular Season Total
Games Played126
Combined Tackles180
Solo Tackles97
Assisted Tackles83
Sacks20.0
Interceptions0
Forced Fumbles3
Fumble Recoveries5
Defensive Touchdowns0
Passes Defended10
Tackles for Loss26
QB Hits82
StatisticPostseason Total
Games Played6
Combined Tackles10
Solo Tackles8
Assisted Tackles2
Sacks0.0
Interceptions0
Forced Fumbles0
Fumble Recoveries0
Defensive Touchdowns0
Passes Defended0
Tackles for Loss2
QB Hits3

Personal life

Family and relationships

Ward was born on March 11, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Kareema Ward, who raised him as a single mother alongside his four younger siblings while relying on welfare. Kareema Ward gave birth to him at age 17, a detail he has referenced by wearing jersey number 17 in her honor during his college career at the University of Illinois. He maintains an estranged relationship with his father and has described early family hardships, including struggles to provide for his siblings amid limited resources. Ward is married to Sydnee Blueitt Ward. No public information is available regarding children or other significant relationships.

References

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