New Deal:Giants re-sign outside linebacker Jihad Ward Due to Critical Issues
Jihad Ward, an outside linebacker, has rejoined the New York Giants. In his debut season with the Giants, Ward, who is 6′ 5 and 287 pounds, participated in all 17 games (plus two postseason games) and set career highs in passes defensed (four), quarterback hits (13), tackles for loss (seven), and forced fumbles (two). After rejoining defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, he set a personal record with three
Ward has participated in 85 regular-season games overall, making 26 starts for the Giants, Raiders, Colts, Ravens, and Jaguars. In addition, he made one start for the Giants this past season and has played in five playoff games.
Ward was first chosen by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft (44th overall). Ward transferred from Globe Institute of Technology in New York to play for Illinois for two years. Playing both defensive end and tackle, Ward started all 12 of his games as a senior in 2015 and finished with 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two passes defensed. He led the Big Ten and finished second in the FBS in 2014 with 51 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries while starting all 13 defensive end games.
