Vikings Pivot Off Initial Plan After NFL Nullifies Deal for Young Fella

Well, the headlines have featured some twists and turns on this situation.

The Vikings pivoted off of the decision to sign Kenny Dyson to the practice squad. Minnesota is doing so not out of dissatisfaction with the young lad but, rather, due to the NFL nullifying the deal.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic with some details: “Edge rusher Kenny Dyson’s contract with the Vikings was disapproved, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. The team had attempted to sign him to the practice squad after waiving him with an injury settlement. He’s now a free agent.”

To account for the suddenly thin edge rusher spot, Nolan Teasley has snagged veteran Jihad Ward, as the team’s official social media shared: “The #Vikings have signed OLB Jihad Ward to the practice squad.” Keep in mind that Kyle Van Noy is still on the practice squad as another veteran option for Sunday.

Vikings Pivot Off Young in Favor of Old

In Mr. Ward, the Vikings are solidifying the team’s floor rather than raising the ceiling.

Indeed, the defender has been in the NFL for a long time. He originally turned pro after getting drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 2nd Round of the 2016 NFL Draft. At that time, Case Keenum hadn’t yet tossed the pass that would be known as “The Minneapolis Miracle,” so we’re talking about a little while ago.

Since then, Ward has put in work for a pile of different teams. He was a Raider initially before then becoming a Cowboy, a Colt, a Raven, a Jaguar, a Giant, a Viking, and a Titan. Ward is now a Viking yet again.

In 2024, Jihad Ward offered some sturdy but unspectacular football for the Minnesota Vikings.

Ward’s season in Minnesota involved playing in seventeen games, starting a pair as he climbed up to 467 snaps for Brian Flores. The final stat tally shows 10 tackles, 1 sack, 14 quarterback hits, and 1 tackle for loss. Among those numbers, the QB hits — almost 1 per game — is what really jumps off the page.

In Tennessee last season, Ward offered the Titans 5 sacks alongside 22 quarterback hits, so there’s still some ability inside of him.

Some may see the Ward addition as somewhat anticlimactic. Opting for a young lad like Dyson means welcoming considerably more upside due to the potential that’s seemingly inherent in youth. That’s a perspective with a pile of merit.

What Minnesota has done, though, is solidify the position with someone who can get leaned on for work as early as this Sunday. That’s not a foregone conclusion, but that’s not the point. Instead, the point is to have the option if there’s a need.

Part of the appeal is that the newcomer can get moved up and down the line. Back in 2024, Brian Flores leaned on Ward for edge rusher snaps alongside snaps further inward. On passing downs, in particular, there’s merit in tasking Ward with playing at 3T or 5T.

Jihad Ward, 32, stands at 6’5″ and 285 pounds. Better yet, he arrives with built-in knowledge of the Flores defense, allowing him to get deployed early on if there’s a need.

The Vikings host the Packers on Sunday for a 3:25 p.m. CT game inside of U.S. Bank Stadium.

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