The Ravens have signed defensive lineman Jihad Ward, who was released recently by the Indianapolis Colts. Ward takes the roster spot of safety Tony Jefferson, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a major knee injury in the Ravens' 26-23 win at Pittsburgh Oct. 6.
Ward, 25, was a second-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders out of Illinois in 2016. He played two seasons for the Raiders, making 13 starts as a rookie, before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in the spring of 2018.
Ward, though, didn't make the Cowboys out of training camp and was subsequently signed to the Colts' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster a few weeks later but played just six games before ending the 2018 season on injured reserve. Ward played three games for the Colts this season before being released.
He had a career-best 30 tackles and 10 quarterback hits as a rookie, and had three sacks in six games last year with the Colts.
