Browns' Denzel Ward: Could move to slot role in '23
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Ward (shoulder) has been working as a slot cornerback during OTAs, Dan Labbe of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "You can definitely expect me inside, outside, wherever," Ward said after a recent OTA session. "Just trying to be anywhere I can to make plays and help this team out."
Ward is expected to have a more versatile role as he heads into the second season of his five-year, $100.5 million extension. When Ward was in the slot during practice, Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson typically served as Cleveland's perimeter corners.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Done early in finale
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Ward (shoulder) had one tackle and played just 10 snaps in a 28-14 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 18.
Ward entered the game with a shoulder injury and was unable to get past the first few series. He finished the season with 53 tackles, two fumbles recovered and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, over 14 games. For fantasy purposes, it was a nice season. However, Pro Football Focus graded him a career-low 60.4 in coverage, last among Cleveland's defensive backs. He'll enter next season as the Browns' top corner in what should be a team strength despite a number of breakdowns in 2022.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Unable to return
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Ward (shoulder) will not return Sunday against the Steelers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Ward came into the day questionable with a shoulder injury, so he apparently aggravated it at some point in the first half. In his absence, A.J. Green and Martin Emerson will be candidates for extra opportunities.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Ready for action Sunday
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Ward (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Despite not practicing all week due to a shoulder issue, Ward is slated to command his usual starting cornerback spot during this weekend's matchup versus Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old currently needs two more tackles and one more interception to set new career highs in both of those categories.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Questionable to play Sunday
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Ward (ankle) is considered questionable to play Sunday versus the Steelers, Dan Labbe of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Ward has been dealing with an ankle injury for multiple weeks, but he was able to play in Week 17 versus the Commanders, making it likely that he'll be able to go in Week 18 against Pittsburgh. His status is worth monitoring as the contest approaches, and if he's ultimately forced to sit out, A.J. Green and Martin Emerson could be asked to step into larger roles in the secondary.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Sidelined Wednesday
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Ward didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness and an ankle injury, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.
Ward returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown and made six tackles across 53 defensive snaps in Week 13, but he's sidelined to start Week 14 prep due to a pair of issues. It's unclear how severe the illness and ankle injury are, but the starting cornerback will have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's divisional matchup against Cincinnati.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Picks up scoop-and-score touchdown
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Ward recorded six tackles (three solo), one pass defended and a defensive touchdown off of a fumble recovery during Sunday's 27-14 win against the Texans.
Ward tallied just his third takeaway of the season, recovering a fumble from quarterback Kyle Allen for a four-yard touchdown return in the third quarter. The cornerback was in and out of practice with separate hamstring and ankle injuries during Week 13 prep, but he still played 86 percent of the Browns' defensive snaps against Houston. Ward now sits second on the team in passes defended despite sitting out three games with a concussion in the middle of the season, and he should play a crucial role in combatting the Bengals' prolific passing attack Week 14.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Will suit up Sunday
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Ward doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against Houston, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Ward landed on the injury report Wednesday as a limited participant due to ankle and hamstring injuries and was downgraded to a non-participant Thursday before logging another limited session Friday. However, his lack of participation appears to have been precautionary, as the starting cornerback won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup. Across eight appearances, the fifth-year cornerback has totaled 38 tackles, seven pass defenses, one interception and one forced fumble.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Sits out practice Thursday
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Ward (ankle/hamstring) did not participate during the Browns' practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Ward played all but two of his team's defensive snaps against Tampa Bay in Week 12, though he appears to have sustained a pair of injuries during this contest. The 25-year-old managed to log a limited session Wednesday before failing to practice Thursday, leaving him questionable to play against Houston on Sunday. Ward will have one more practice to increase his activity before the Browns' release their final injury report Friday.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Appears ready to return
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Ward (concussion) was listed as a full participant on the Browns' injury report Thursday, Chris Easterling of The Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Ward suffered a concussion in Cleveland's Week 5 loss to the Chargers and returned to practice in a limited fashion for the first time Wednesday. Now, the No.1 cornerback appears likely to clear protocols Week 10, as he responded "Yes sir. Can't wait," when asked if he'd be able to play this Sunday against Miami, per Easterling. With the availability of fellow cornerbacks Greg Newsome (oblique) and Martin Emerson (illness) up in the air, Ward's availability would mark a big boost for the Browns' secondary.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Returns to practice after bye
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Ward (concussion) was present at practice Monday ahead of Sunday's game at Miami, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
It's the first time Ward has been at practice since Week 5, when a concussion forced him out of a loss versus the Chargers early. The update suggests the two-time Pro Bowler may be able to play in Week 10, but if not, Greedy Williams and A.J. Green should continue to fill in on the boundaries.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Won't play Monday night
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Ward (concussion) is listed as out for Monday's game versus Cincinnati, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Ward will miss his third consecutive game with a concussion he suffered Week 5 versus the Chargers. The absence of the two-time Pro Bowler should clear the runway for Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd and open up more playing time for Greedy Williams (illness) and rookie third-rounder Martin Emerson.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Remains in protocols
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Ward is still in concussion protocols as of Thursday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Ward has been in protocols since suffering the concussion in Week 5. Although he could still gain clearance in time to play Monday against the Bengals, each day he doesn't certainly makes that less likely. If he is unable to play, rookie Martin Emerson will continue to see extra opportunity.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Still in concussion protocol
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Ward is still in concussion protocol Monday ahead of Cleveland's matchup versus Cincinnati in Week 8, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Ward sustained a blow to the head back in Week 5 and has remained in the league's concussion protocol since. The two-time Pro Bowler will probably need to practice in some capacity this week in order to suit up for Monday Night Football versus the Bengals.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Remains in concussion protocol
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Ward remains in concussion protocol, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Ward suffered a concussion during the team's Week 5 loss to the Chargers and remains in protocols Wednesday. He isn't trending in the right direction, but Stefanski said there's no update on his potential availability for Week 6.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Trending upward
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Ward (back) logged a limited practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
After being a DNP on Wednesday, Ward's return to the practice field is a step in the right direction. Even with the signs of improvement, it's worth nothing the fifth-year corner is still no sure proposition to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Falcons. If he's unable to play, A.J. Green would likely draw the start at corner.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Scores on final play
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Ward had five tackles, committed three penalties and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in Thursday's 29-17 win over Pittsburgh in Week 3.
With the Steelers backed up to their four-yard line and nine seconds left, they tried a short pass and several laterals. The last of the laterals was fumbled and presented Ward and the Cleveland defense with a gifted score. Two of Ward's three penalties were of no consequence -- either an offsetting infraction or declined.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Participates in full drills
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Ward participated in full drills Tuesday and Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Ward was activated off the active/PUP list last week, but the Browns had limited him to work on the side and individual drills. His elevation to full drill activity is a sign he'll be at full speed for the season opener Sept. 11 against the Panthers.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Expected to return soon
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Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he is confident Ward (foot) will return to the practice field "in the next couple of weeks," Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com reports.
Cleveland will continue to play things safe with its top cover corner as training camp gets underway. Tests revealed no structural damage after Ward injured his foot during minicamp in June, so there's close to zero risk he won't be ready come Week 1. He figures to once again be the best player in the Browns' defensive backfield this season.
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Browns' Denzel Ward: Appears on PUP list
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Cleveland placed Ward (foot) on the active/PUP list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Tests revealed no structural damage after Ward suffered an injury to his foot back in minicamp, but it appears he may need more time to recover before he's ready to participate in training camp. Either way, he should be good to go by the regular season, at which point he'll be a better real-life player than a fantasy one as opposing quarterbacks shy away from his area of the field.
