Ward, Johnson activated for playoff

It is one of those debates that could be argued long into the night — of course at home or on Zoom since no one should be out after 10 p.m. — who is the greatest superhero — Batman, Superman or Denzel Ward?

The Browns activated Ward and fellow cornerback Kevin Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list before practice Jan. 13.

That means, cape-less though he might be, Ward will line up at left corner Jan. 17 when the Browns meet the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in a divisional playoff for the right to advance to the AFC championship game Jan. 24 against the winner of the Ravens-Bills game.

“I was excited to be back on the field — another opportunity to play out there with my teammates and coaches,” Ward said after practice on Zoom.

Ward and Johnson were on the COVID list Jan. 10 in a wild-card playoff when Ben Roethlisberger strafed the Browns’ secondary for 501 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Browns beat the Steelers, 48-37, but facing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs without Ward and Johnson is not something Coach Kevin Stefanski wants to contemplate, especially since Ward’s replacement, Robert Jackson, went on injured reserve Jan. 12 with a hamstring injury.

“Anytime you get good players back, whether it be injury or the COVID list, it’s always a big boost for your entire team,” Stefanski said on Zoom. “We’re looking forward to getting a full complement of guys.”

That would include getting left guard Joel Bitonio back from the reserve/ COVID-19 list and getting right tackle Jack Conklin back from a hamstring injury. Bitonio, like Ward, Johnson and Stefanski, had to quarantine at home while the Browns were in Pittsburgh.

Conklin was injured in the first half in Heinz Field and did not return. He did not practice Jan. 13 and is listed as day to day.

Defensive end Myles Garrett missed two games in midseason when he was hit with COVID. He struggled to get his wind back after returning to the lineup. Ward missed the last regular season game and the playoff game with the Steelers while on the COVID list.

Ward said he did extra conditioning while isolated. He will have to be in top shape to stay with Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill, who caught 87 passes for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season. Hill also has 13 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s an explosive player,” Ward said. “He’s fast. He’s one we’re going to have to focus on come game time. They’re finding ways to get him the ball whether it’s running a route or handing off to him in the backfield. It’s up to us to eliminate those explosive plays from him and the rest of their offense.”

The Browns got linebacker B.J. Goodson back from COVID last week. Just as Ward will have to deal with Hill, how well Goodson defends tight end Travis Kelce will have a bearing on their chances of pulling off another upset in the playoffs. Kelce caught 105 passes for 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season.

“A lot of guys get caught, not necessarily being too relaxed or giving too much of a cushion, but you have to contest throws and get tighter on him,” Goodson said. “You have to be in position to compete.”

Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, has been Mr. consistent for the Chiefs. He has six straight 1,000-yard-plus receiving seasons and two straight seasons of scoring 11 touchdowns.

Injury report

BROWNS » Conklin (hamstring), Goodson (shoulder) and tight end David Njoku (hamstring) did not practice Jan. 13.

CHIEFS » Linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) did not practice.