Denzel Ward suffered a knee injury during practice Jan. 11 and is listed as questionable for the Browns’ wild-card playoff game Jan. 13 in Houston.
The injury to the sixth-year Pro Bowl cornerback is the latest blow to a Browns team that has overcome numerous injuries throughout the season but still managed to finish 11-6. Only the Ravens (13-4) finished with a better record in the AFC.
Ward seemed fine during the early portion of practice open to the media. Coach Kevin Stefanski met with reporters in his normal post-practice Friday session (the Jan. 11 practice was like a Friday since the game is on Saturday) and would not give a definitive answer when asked whether Ward finished practice.
#Browns cornerback Denzel Ward suffered a knee injury in practice Thursday. He is listed as questionable for the playoff game with the #Texans Saturday. Greg Newsome says the defense will be ready if Ward can’t play. pic.twitter.com/pv8OzWFfBg
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) January 11, 2024
“Just something with his knee,” Stefanski said. “He was limited. I don’t really have an update past that practice today.”
Did Denzel have to leave practice?
“He was limited,” Stefanski said.
Might his playing status be a game-time decision?
“I don’t have an update,” Stefanski said. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Grant Delpit definitely will not play against the Texans. The starting safety missed the last four games on injured reserve recovering from surgery to repair a groin injury.
Delpit on Jan. 10 was designated to return from I.R. He worked hard in his comeback, but he isn’t quite ready to play. His new goal is to be in uniform next week if the Browns beat the Texans to advance to the divisional round.
“It was an injury I haven’t really experienced before,” Delpit said Jan. 11 in the locker room. “It’s a tough spot as you can see, but guys have gone through it before. Guys have come back. So that gave me confidence and knowing this is a crucial time and I’m just trying to get back as soon as possible.”
Safety Juan Thornhill, who missed four of the last five games with a calf injury, is listed as questionable. D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman got the bulk of the work at safety when Delpit and Thornhill were both out.
Ward missed the games against the Broncos, Rams and Jaguars with a shoulder injury. Greg Newsome and M.J. Emerson started at cornerback in those games. Mike Ford was the third cornerback in the group when the Browns lined up in the nickel defense. It would likely be the same combination if Ward can’t play against the Texans.
“It’s a lot of emotions that go through my mind,” Newsome said. “He’s our leader. He’s one of arguably the best cornerbacks in the league. Obviously, we would love for him to be out there, but at the end of the day you don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself. We’re on a one-game season at a time, so it doesn’t take air out of anything.”
Ward made one tackle and broke up a pass on Dec. 24 when the Browns beat the Texans, 36-22, when Case Keenum was the Houston quarterback.
C.J. Stroud missed the game vs. the Browns last month with a concussion, but the rookie quarterback from Ohio State will start for the Texans in the playoff game — all the more reason the Browns hope Ward can shake off the knee injury and be ready to play.
Notes
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion), kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) have been ruled out along with Delpit. Ward, Thornhill, Ford (calf) and running back Pierre Strong (back) are questionable. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, who missed the last two games with a heel injury, was not on the Jan. 11 injury report.
BROWNS AT TEXANS
What: AFC wild-card game
When: 4:30 p.m., Jan. 13
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
Records: Browns 11-6, Texans 10-7
TV: WKYC (Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge announcing)
Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKKY-FM 104.7, WKNR-AM 850 (Jim Donovan and Nathan Zegura announcing)
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