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MN Vikings Bring Back Familiar Linebacker (Again)
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- MN Vikings Bring Back Familiar Linebacker (Again)
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The 5-0 Minnesota Vikings are back from their bye week and set to host the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday at noon. On paper, everything looks like it favors the home team in this one.
The Vikings went into their bye banged up. Yesterday, their latest injury report revealed a clean bill of health for Week 7. There were eight players listed Thursday, but they all practiced in full — including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Christian Darrisaw.
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But since he arrived, GM Nolan Teasley has been constantly tweaking the depth of Minnesota's roster, starting with the practice squad, which has been shuffling guys in and out since the moment it was finalized back in August.
Minnesota Vikings bring Jihad Ward back to the practice squad
However, the practice squad signing on Friday of linebacker Jihad Ward was somewhat predictable. To make room for Ward's return, the MN Vikings released offensive tackle Tristan Leigh.
The #Vikings have signed OLB Jihad Ward to the practice squad and released T Tristan Leigh from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/u89wcyMu2Q
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 23, 2026
Ward was first signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on Sept. 9 . Then on October 1, after the New York Giants lost Brian Burns to a torn ACL, the G-Men swooped in and signed Ward to their active roster .
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After the 32-year-old made one tackle for the Giants, they cut him Tuesday. That same day, we listed him as one of two players New York released that the Vikings might look into . Sure enough, a few days later, Jihad Ward is back at TCO Performance Center.
If you hang out in Vikings internet land, the Ward announcement Friday was even less surprising. On Tuesday, he hinted at the reunion on Instagram when he posted a graphic of himself in his purple No. 52 Vikings jersey.
Jihad Ward was let go by the Giants and posted this on his IG page moments ago. Looks like another reunion in Minnesota.
#Vikings #Skol pic.twitter.com/MY6I2NnFYE— Ahmad Hicks (@AhmadHicksTV) October 20, 2026
Related: Vikings at Full Health on Latest Injury Report
What Jihad Ward gives the MN Vikings pass rush
Ward is in his 11th NFL season. The former Illini star was originally selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has recorded 24 career sacks with seven teams since then, including 5.0 sacks in both 2023 with the Giants and 2025 with the Tennessee Titans.
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Jihad Ward played in all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024, but finished with a mild 10 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. He now joins Kenny Dyson and Keshawn Banks as the outside linebackers on Minnesota's practice squad.
Season-high 50 defensive snaps for Jihad Ward, whose fourth pressure of the day helped cause Theo Jackson's game-sealing interception. Been an underrated member of this Vikings free agent class. https://t.co/KUwwf6tfzp
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 23, 2024
Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner and Kyle Van Noy lead the group on the active roster. Tyler Batty remains on injured reserve.
Why Tristan Leigh was the odd man out
Leigh, an undrafted tackle out of Clemson, returned to the practice squad on Oct. 6 , the same day Donovan Jackson went on injured reserve. At the time, Darrisaw was in concussion protocol, and the Vikings needed tackle depth heading into New Orleans.
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Darrisaw has since logged back-to-back full practices, and Brian O'Neill was a full participant Thursday as well. With both starting tackles healthy, Minnesota used Leigh's spot to bring back a veteran pass rusher.
