The Tennessee Titans were left shorthanded at EDGE earlier this week by Lorenzo Carter’s abrupt retirement. General manager Mike Borgonzi moved rather quickly to replace him. Just one day after the Titans’ first training camp practice of the new season, they are signing veteran free-agent defensive end Jihad Ward, according to a report by Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The #Titans are signing former #Vikings LB Jihad Ward. Ward played in all 17 games last season with Minnesota and has 19 career sacks. pic.twitter.com/xADSl9Pzxf
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 24, 2025AD
Ward is a veteran rotational defender. He appeared in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings last season, notching 10 tackles and one sack. He was more impressive with the New York Giants in 2023, totaling five quarterback takedowns.
Ward did play a sizable 467 snaps for the Vikings last year, accounting for 41.11% percent of their total defensive snaps. The Titans made a conscious effort to get bigger and stouter outside this offseason. Ward fits that profile, listed at approximately 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds. Perhaps he’ll play an early-down run stopping role.
To make room for Ward on the 90-man roster, the Titans surprisingly released nose tackle Keondre Coburn, per Paul Kuharsky.
The #Titans released Keondre Coburn to make room for Jihad Ward.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 24, 2025
Coburn appeared in 14 contests for the Titans last season as T’Vondre Sweat’s primary backup. The fellow Texas Longhorns alum totaled 14 tackles. Coburn’s release means one of two things. The Titans either don’t see the need for a backup nose tackle, or they like Ward’s size/versatility to play inside. Dre’Mont Jones and James Lynch, two roster locks, also have inside-outside capability, though neither can match Coburn’s size.
The Titans also have four undrafted defensive tackles on the roster in Philip Blidi, Devonte O’Malley, Isaiah Raikes, and Cam Horsley. Raikes and Horsley are both over 300 pounds and could potentially play the Coburn role. Perhaps the Titans have been impressed with one of them. Veteran defensive tackle Carlos Watkins is also on the 90-man roster and contending for a spot.
After Will Levis was placed on IR, the Titans also added DT Timothy Horne (and RB Jermar Jefferson) to their 90-man roster on Wednesday.
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