Tennessee Titans linebacker Jihad Ward has been issued a punishment by the NFL.
The league announced Saturday that Ward has been fined $7,806 for an unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing) illegal action during the week 12 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The action occurred in the first quarter with 5:45 remaining.
The 31-year-old journeyman linebacker signed with the Titans in the offseason. He was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders out of the University of Illinois. So far this season, Ward has tallied 17 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits.
Ward has been fined several times throughout his career. He said he was fined in 2022 while with the Giants for wearing a hoodie during a game, but the NFL never publicly confirmed that, although the league is a stickler for uniform violation.
During his rookie season, he was fined for a face mask penalty. And last season while with the Vikings, Ward received the same punishment for unnecessary roughness that he received on Saturday.
Cam Ward Looks to Climb the Leaderboard in Tennessee
The Titans (1-10) are slotted to own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft after drafting quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. The team fired head coach Brian Callahan midseason and if anything, look to play spoiler at the end of the regular season as there is no chance at the playoffs.
The Titans have the 26th ranked defense, but the worst ranked offense in the league. Starting at QB during your rookie season is a tall task, but Ward has improved in recent weeks and put up likely his best performance against the 6th ranked Seahawks defense. He completed 28 of 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a 91.0 quarterback rating. He also contributed on the ground with a rushing touchdown and 37 yards on six carries.
GettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 23: Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass in the first half of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
With 2,210 passing yards this season, Ward has moved ahead of Vince Young for second place on the franchise’s rookie passing list. He now sits behind only Marcus Mariota, who totaled 2,818 yards in 2015. Another positive for Ward and the Titans: after throwing an interception in six straight games, he’s now gone three consecutive games without one.
Ward Says Coach, Teammates Have Helped
Like any good QB, Ward said his good play has been a team effort.
“I think it’s everybody,” Ward said this week. “Starts with Mike (McCoy), but especially, Nick (Holz) and Bo (Hardegree) putting in good game plans week in and week out. Now it’s just on myself and other players to execute the game plan.
“So I think everyone’s success that we’re starting to see on offense is just a mix of everybody, the players, the coaching staff, all doing their job.”Ward wants to keep the positive momentum going heading into this Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, who are currently in the playoffs at 7-4.
“I just think we use it as motivation to win football games,” Ward said. “The stats will never mean anything. The only stat that would only matter is winning or losing, and we just got to do that week in and week out. So that’s the only thing we’re trying to get better at.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NFL Announces Punishment for Tennessee Titans Linebacker Jihad Ward appeared first on Heavy Sports.