Raiders’ Jihad Ward may need arthroscopic surgery

That’s how National Football League draft analyst Mike Mayock described the Raiders second round pick, defensive end Jihad Ward, who posted only seven career quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks in two seasons with the Fighting Illini. But the defensive lineman played in all 12 IL contests in 2015, helping his stock going into the draft. Jihad Ward, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, could need arthroscopic knee surgery and could miss six weeks as a result. A report that if true, could make it hard for Ward to contribute right away in his rookie season with the Raiders.

The Raiders plan to give Ward a more consistent environment and took what they hope is another step toward shoring up their defense at the same time. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder was a wide receiver and defensive back in high school and a tight end initially in junior college.

Ward had 104 tackles with 4 ½ sacks and 12 tackles for loss during two seasons with the Illini, though his numbers were down in 2015 after he underwent surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee.

“I was really just getting big”, said Ward. “I don’t want to be at camp or on the field and the next thing we know my knee is messed up”. He played defensive end at IL, but Del Rio expects him to play more on the interior.

The Raiders have Mario Edwards Jr., their second round draft pick of 2015, coming off a neck injury that may be degenerative in nature, and appear to be hedging their bets. “I feel fine. If I need surgery or something like that, I’ll get it”.

But then added to that mix in the third round was Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun, an edge rusher who had great success for the Spartans.

“I look forward to coming in and trying to learn from those guys and just trying to soak it all in like a sponge”, Calhoun said.

Del Rio said he expects Ward to be available for the start of the season.