The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Ward sidelined in first practice
Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward was a spectator during team drills on the first day of Browns rookie minicamp after being sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Ward, the fourth pick in the first round, seemed fine in individual drills, but when team drills began inside the fieldhouse at team headquarters in Berea he watched with his left hand on his hip and his helmet in his right hand.
“I’m always going to be cautious with our guys if I think they have a little nick or something,” Coach Hue Jackson said. “I don’t think being out here and having a guy — if there’s anything that we feel that might hurt a guy, I’m going to make sure I take him out. He did some good things, just watching him run around, too. We’ll see where he is tomorrow and kind of go from there.”
This is the Browns, so there is always the chance the injury could linger, but the fact he wasn’t taken to the trainer’s
room, along with the fact no ice bag was seen taped to whatever body part is ailing, is encouraging.
Ward was unavailable for comment after practice. He was upbeat earlier in the day
when me met with the media.
“There’s definitely a high expectation, coming from Ohio State and all of those guys being able to produce in the league,” Ward said. “It isn’t
about getting to the NFL. It’s about what you do once you’re here.
“I am glad to finally get the draft process and everything over with and get here and start playing football.”