Vikings Sign Jihad Ward to Practice Squad
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have returned a familiar face to the locker room.
Minnesota signed outside linebacker Jihad Ward to its practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.
Ward spent the 2024 season with the Vikings, during which he played in all 17 games (two starts) and logged 1.0 sack, 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed. He also recorded 14 QB hits, a career-high that stood until last season with Tennessee when he recorded 22 in 12 starts for the Titans.
Ward is well-versed in Brian Flores' defense and adds depth to Minnesota's front. He is the third veteran defender recently signed by the Vikings, joining Kyle Van Noy — who also joined the practice squad — and Harrison Smith, whose 15th season in Purple will open when the Vikings host the Packers at 3:25 p.m. (CT) Sunday.
With Tennessee, Ward matched his previous season high (2023) of 5.0 sacks and added 31 tackles, four tackles for loss and four passes defensed.
Originally a 2016 second-round draft pick out of Illinois by the Raiders, Ward started 13 games as a rookie. In addition to the Raiders, Vikings and Titans, the 32-year-old has played for the Colts, Ravens, Jaguars and Giants.
https://www.vikings.com/news/jihad-ward-signed-2026-roster-move
Replacement for Dyson after injury settlement snafu?
NFL stops Vikings from signing Kenny Dyson to practice squad after he was waived-injured
At the end of the preseason, the Vikings waived outside linebacker Kenny Dyson with an injury settlement. A week later, the Vikings attempted to sign Dyson to their practice squad. The league said no.
Dyson’s practice squad contract was disallowed because of a league rule that say players waived with an injury settlement can’t be re-signed by that team until the length of the injury settlement, plus three weeks.
In other words, if Dyson’s injury settlement (which has not been publicly revealed) was four weeks’ salary, that means the Vikings wouldn’t be allowed to bring him back until at least seven weeks into the season. Dyson is free to sign with another team before then, just not the Vikings.
Injury settlements can be beneficial to both the team and the player: For the team, reaching an injury settlement with the player prevents them from having to put him on injured reserve, so he can play for them later in the season once he’s healthy. For the player, accepting the settlement allows him to take that money but still potentially play later in the season.
Dyson may still play this season. He could sign with another team at any time in the next seven weeks, or he could sign with the Vikings, once he becomes eligible to do so.
Kentis wrote:
Replacement for Dyson after injury settlement snafu?
The Backup Plan: To fix the sudden opening at edge rusher, Minnesota brought back a familiar face
The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran outside linebacker Jihad Ward to the practice squad after the NFL blocked their attempt to sign edge rusher Kenny Dyson Jr.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Kentis wrote:
Replacement for Dyson after injury settlement snafu?
NFL stops Vikings from signing Kenny Dyson to practice squad after he was waived-injuredAt the end of the preseason, the Vikings waived outside linebacker Kenny Dyson with an injury settlement. A week later, the Vikings attempted to sign Dyson to their practice squad. The league said no.
Dyson’s practice squad contract was disallowed because of a league rule that say players waived with an injury settlement can’t be re-signed by that team until the length of the injury settlement, plus three weeks.
In other words, if Dyson’s injury settlement (which has not been publicly revealed) was four weeks’ salary, that means the Vikings wouldn’t be allowed to bring him back until at least seven weeks into the season. Dyson is free to sign with another team before then, just not the Vikings.
Injury settlements can be beneficial to both the team and the player: For the team, reaching an injury settlement with the player prevents them from having to put him on injured reserve, so he can play for them later in the season once he’s healthy. For the player, accepting the settlement allows him to take that money but still potentially play later in the season.
Dyson may still play this season. He could sign with another team at any time in the next seven weeks, or he could sign with the Vikings, once he becomes eligible to do so.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-stops-vikings-from-signing-kenny-dyson-to-practice-squad-after-he-was-waived-injured
Well, you were editing your post as I was making mine. Though, not as detailed as yours.
You would think that they were aware of the rule.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Cricket wrote:
Well, you were editing your post as I was making mine. Though, not as detailed as yours.
You would think that they were aware of the rule.
I agree, rookie GM…? 🤔
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