The Cleveland Browns are adopting a cautious stance regarding the future participation of their $100 million defender, Denzel Ward, amidst concerns about a shoulder injury.
Ward, a crucial element of the Browns’ formidable defense, is slated to miss his second consecutive game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The team is optimistic about his potential return against the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, contingent on his recovery progress.
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com suggests there might be structural damage in Ward’s shoulder but emphasizes that the cornerback is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period.
In Ward’s absence, the Browns are relying on Greg Newsome, a former first-round pick, and the promising second-year cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Newsome faced challenges in the recent game against the Broncos, earning a modest overall grade of 43.7 from Pro Football Focus and struggling with a coverage mark of 34.1.
Despite the solid performance of the Browns secondary without Ward, safety Grant Delpit acknowledges the difficulty of playing without him, referring to Ward as “the warden.”
Newsome also underscores Ward’s significance, labeling him as the best cornerback in the league and expressing the team’s eagerness for his return.
The Browns have faced a string of significant injuries throughout the season, primarily on the offensive side.
Notable losses include Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson, and veteran right tackle Jack Conklin. Recently, the defensive unit has been impacted by injuries to Ward and star pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
While there were concerns about Garrett missing substantial playing time due to a shoulder injury, he made a timely return against the Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, Anthony Walker, a key defensive player recovering from a hamstring injury, has returned to bolster the Browns’ defense.
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