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Giants Release Two Players the Vikings May Look Into
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- Giants Release Two Players the Vikings May Look Into
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Although the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants don't play each other this season, the two teams have crossed paths plenty.
The most significant interaction was the trade of J.J. McCarthy to for a 5th round pick a couple weeks ago. The Vikings also added Odell Beckham Jr. before their bye week, shortly after the Giants cut him loose.
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Jihad Ward and Najee Harris dropped by Giants
McCarthy could be New York's starting quarterback in Week 7. Either way, he won't be teammates with LB Jihad Ward anymore. Ward, a second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2016, spent 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings and 2025 with the Tennessee Titans, before rejoining Minnesota's practice squad this September.
However, on September 30, the Giants swooped in and signed him off the Vikings' practice squad, then turned around and placed him on their active roster. After one tackle in two games, he's back on the open market.
Source: The #Giants are cutting edge Jihad Ward, who had one tackle in two games with the team. The Giants signed Ward off the Vikings practice squad earlier this month.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 20, 2026
At 32 years old, Ward is no spring chicken, and Minnesota's pass rush is led by Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Still, the Vikings viewed Ward as legitimate depth just weeks ago and could view him the same way now. He already knows Flores' defensive system too, which is a big deal.
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Kenny Dyson and Keshawn Banks are the only other edge rushers on the Vikings practice squad currently. Dyson, a 25-year-old out of Bryant, has one year of NFL experience so swapping the two out makes a ton of sense.
MN Vikings RB option hits the market
Meanwhile, it's no secret that the Minnesota Vikings are in search of running back help . Aaron Jones Sr. is carrying a heavy load, and even with Jordan Mason returning , the group could use more depth, if not more.
Like Najee Harris, a veteran with five seasons of NFL experience, who was also cut loose by the Giants on Tuesday.
Source: The #Giants are releasing RB Najee Harris, another RB shakeup. https://t.co/N9C5GIIpeh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2026
After four seasons in Pittsburgh, Harris signed with the Chargers in 2025 and then with the Giants this season. He played in five games for John Harbaugh but never found his footing, totaling 99 yards on 31 carries with one catch.
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Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards and scored at least six touchdowns in each of his four seasons with the Steelers. Pittsburgh also used him heavily as a pass catcher out of the backfield, a role Minnesota could use in its running back room. In other words, the fit almost makes too much sense.
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Harris tore his Achilles three games into last season with the Chargers last year, and it's possible he's simply lost his burst. But now that he's on the market, the Vikings have no reason not to bring him in for a workout, if he is interested.
If the Vikings do have interest in Harris, signing him would cost significantly less than making any sort of trade.
Najee Harris shouldn't get another touch this season 🤦♂️📽: @PascoDFS https://t.co/Zz3BI3oGZf
— just jack (@imjust_jack06) October 18, 2026
