The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Denzel Ward awaiting Chiefs rematch
Cornerback among those on team looking forward to game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 12.
Denzel Ward says he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He will get the chance to prove that in 10 days when the Browns open the season against one of the best offenses in the league.
Ward was not 100 percent in January when the Browns were eliminated by the Chiefs in a divisional game because he was recovering from a bout with COVID-19 that prevented him from playing against the Steelers in the wild-card game the Browns won, 48-37, a week earlier.
Like everyone else on the team, Ward is excited to open the season in a rematch with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 12.
“Just coming off of COVID, I wasn’t as sharp as I would have wanted to be (in the playoff game),” Ward said before practice Sept. 1. “It was a little difficult, but I was still ready. I was out there playing.
“I gave it the best shot I could, but I’m definitely looking forward to this opportunity I get coming up.”
Ward was part of the 2018 draft that included Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb. They are the only three on the roster remaining from the nine selected by former general manager John Dorsey just three years ago.
Ward made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
“I gave it my best shot I could, but I’m defitely looking forward to this opportunity I get coming up.” —Browns cornerback Denzel Ward on the week 1 rematch with the Chiefs
He missed four games because of various injuries each year he has been in the league.
Adding Troy Hill in free agency and drafting Greg Newsome in the first round, plus the return of Greedy Williams from a shoulder injury that kept him out all of 2020 (Williams currently is battling a groin injury) makes the Browns deeper at cornerback than at any time since Ward was drafted. Still, the coaches would be thrilled if Ward can play a full season for the first time in his career.
Ward did not play a snap in the preseason. He was sidelined three weeks of training camp with what the team said was general soreness.
Ward being on the sideline as much as he was in August is a way of getting him to the season fresh and healthy. It also meant giving Newsome time at left cornerback in case Ward is hit with another injury.
“I’m definitely going to be fresher for the season,” Ward said. “The main focus is on Week 1. I was still working on things (reporters) may not have seen.
“I’m very confident I can do my job at a high level and at the highest level here. I feel I stack up with other corners, as well — top corners in the league. I feel I show that going out there on the field, and I feel my play speaks for itself.”
The overhaul the secondary has gone through is more drastic than that of any other segment of the team, but injuries have prevented the group from playing consistently as a unit.
Ward had his soreness issues. Williams had a hamstring injury before the groin pull. Safety Grant Delpit is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and safety Ronnie Harrison missed two weeks with a hamstring pull.
“Guys go through injuries,” defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. “I would love to have all 11 out there, but the thing that has helped us is some of the young guys we want to evaluate, they got a lot of reps, whether it’s in practice, whether it was a joint practice or in the games. That’s really helped us develop our depth. Hopefully, we get them out there soon, but I know we’re talented enough to play good defense.”
The big test is coming soon. The Chiefs scored 473 points last season and have played in the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons. The only AFC teams to score more than the Chiefs were the Bills (501) and Titans (491).
Notes
The Browns placed linebacker Jacob Phillips on injured reserve Sept. 1 and filled his roster spot by re-signing defensive end Joe Jackson. Jackson was waived Aug. 31.
Eleven players have been signed to the practice squad: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day, TE Jordan Franks, DE Porter Gustin, RB John Kelly, LB Elijah Lee, S Jovante Moffatt, QB Nick Mullens, WR JoJo Natson, FB Johnny Stanton, DE Curtis Weaver.
The only player among the 11 that wasn’t with the Browns in training camp is Mullens. He played 19 games with the 49ers over the past three seasons.
Five spots on the practice squad remain open.