CB Denzel Ward sits out with recent calf injury

First the NFL sacks leader, now the league’s pass breakup leader will be out for an unspecified time.

First the Browns lost the NFL sacks leader temporarily. Now they will be without the league’s pass breakup leader for an unspecified time.

Denzel Ward suf fered a strained calf Nov. 22 in the 22-17 victory over the Eagles and will be sidelined for the game in Jacksonville on Nov. 29, the game in Tennessee on Dec. 6 and possibly more, a league source confirmed on Nov. 24 after the Browns got the results of an MRI on the cornerback’s injured leg. The story was first reported by NFL Network.

Defensive end Myles Garrett, now tied for the league lead with 9.5 sacks (Trey Hendrickson, Saints) is still quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 20. He missed the game with the Eagles and has already been ruled out for Jacksonville when the 7-3 Browns take on the 1-9 Jaguars.

Ward leads the NFL with 15 passes defensed. He had four breakups and an interception against the Eagles.

Cornerback Greedy Williams, the Browns first pick in the 2019 draft, has missed the entire season with a shoulder injury. There is no timetable for his return.

Terrance Mitchell has started all 10 games at right cornerback in Williams’ ab

sence. Kevin Johnson is behind Ward on the depth chart at left cornerback, but he was already getting plenty of playing time. Johnson, as the nickel back, was on the field for 47 snaps (69 percent) in the Philadelphia game. He was on the field for 39 snaps (68 percent) in the game with Houston on Nov. 15.

Johnson taking over as the starter at left cornerback will likely move Tavierre Thomas into the role of nickel back against the Jaguars.

Ward did not disclose his injury until he reported to the team’s complex in Berea on Nov. 23.

A strained calf, by definition, means muscle fibers are torn in varying degrees. Right guard Wyatt Teller suffered a strained calf in the game with the Colts. He missed three games and also had the bye week to recuperate before returning

Nov. 15.

It is unclear when Ward was injured since he didn’t report it until the next day. What is clear is his performance against the Eagles was one of the best of his career.

“I was just trying to stay consistent and do whatever I could to help my team win,” Ward said on Zoom after the game.

Absorbing the loss of Ward arguably will be a bigger challenge than playing without Garrett, especially because the Browns already are without Williams.

The defensive line took the “next man up” mantra to heart and made life miserable for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Olivier Vernon led the way with three sacks.

Jake Luton, the Jaguars’ starting quarterback while Gardner Minshew mends from a thumb injury, threw

four interceptions on Nov. 22 in a 27-3 loss to the Steelers. He has thrown two touchdown passes and eight interceptions with Minshew sidelined.

The bigger test for a secondary without Ward will come in Nashville when the Browns visit 7-3 Tennessee. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is careful with the ball. He has thrown 22 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.

Jackson on COVID list

Defensive end Joe Jackson was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 24, the Browns announced.

The list is for a players that either tested positive for COVID or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.