BEREA, OhioOn Tuesday, Denzel Ward, a cornerback for the Browns, departed practice due to what seemed to be a shoulder or right arm injury. Less than a week after two productive days of joint practices against the Eagles, which left at least one colleague humming, the injury occurs during an incredible training camp.
During one-on-one drills close to the start of practice on Tuesday, Ward and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy were both following a ball. Ward landed awkwardly on his right arm after breaking the pass up. He briefly knelt beside the pylon, then got up and moved to the sidelines.
Ward even attempted to return to the field after speaking with a member of the training staff, but he ultimately returned to the sidelines and entered the building with them.
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Ward’s injury was not updated by the Browns on Tuesday, and they probably won’t be until Wednesday.
Four-time Pro Bowler Ward entered this season hoping to become the second consecutive cornerback to win Defensive Player of the Year. He just finished what he considered his best season as a professional. Due to a shoulder injury, he missed the season finale in Baltimore but played in 16 games the previous season.
For the first time in training camp, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., who was carted off in that Baltimore game, was practicing outside. He worked out with a trainer on the field’s rehabilitation area, jogging and practicing agility.
Andrew Berry, the general manager of the Browns, observed part of the workout.
After being carted off in Week 18 versus Baltimore last season, Hall, the 54th overall pick in the 2024 draft, is currently on the active/PUP list.
Hall was wearing a brace on his right knee on Tuesday, though the Browns have not disclosed the nature of his ailment. In order to generate steady pressure up the middle, they intend to place him on the inside of their defensive line with Mason Graham, this year’s No. 5 overall selection.
Last season, Hall only appeared in eight games. After entering a no guilty plea to disorderly behavior in Avon Lake Municipal court, he was suspended for five games for breaking the league’s personal conduct policy. Last year during training camp, Hall was taken into custody when police were called to an Avon residence where he, his fiancée, and the fiancée’s mother shared a residence in order to look into a claim of domestic abuse against Hall.
He also had a knee ailment that kept him out of four games.
Hall recorded six quarterback hits, one sack, and fourteen tackles.
The importance of Ward
Catching the ball was about the only thing Ward struggled with last season. After he eventually caught his first interceptions in Week 11, his teammates spent a lot of time making fun of him for all the ones he had missed.
With 19 passes defended, Ward topped the league.
Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator, stated earlier in camp that he must complete those PBUs with INTs. Although he left a lot of flesh on the bone, he was incredibly successful last year in obtaining PBUs. And when it’s an INT, a third down stop that’s a PBU turns into a game-changing play.
With cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. sidelined for the season due to a ruptured Achilles sustained during a camp session, the Browns are depending heavily on Ward.
Emerson’s outside role is anticipated to be filled by Greg Newsome II, who has been battling his own shoulder issue. After this season, Newsome, who is currently playing on his fifth-year option, will be a free agent.
Cameron Mitchell, a third-year cornerback, and Myles Harden, a second-year cornerback, are also vying for playing time with the Browns. Tony Brown II, a seasoned cornerback and exceptional special teams player, is very certain to make the squad. Dom Jones, an undrafted free agent, has presented a compelling argument.
No one in the Browns secondary has been reluctant to commend Ward’s skills this summer, since he is the cornerstone of the whole cornerback room.
According to safety Grant Delpit last week, Denzel doesn’t receive nearly enough attention. Denzel is ranked in the top two when discussing the league’s top three corners, or the Top 5. You can see this every single day if you simply put on the tape. And since few people could play like Ward, I can say with certainty that.
Earlier this summer, Newsome stated, “No one else’s name is Denzel Ward.” No secret exists. We expect him to accomplish that because he is the league’s finest cornerback. He has no weaknesses, as I have stated. Actually, there isn’t a secret sauce. No one else’s name is mentioned, except his, Denzel Ward.
On Tuesday night, everyone will wait for word on Ward’s shoulder.
Hall s return
It’s unclear when Hall will really return to the field. When the Browns reduce their roster to 53, they can retain him on PUP, which would require him to miss the season’s opening four games at the very least.
They can operate on the interior without Hall in the foreseeable future, despite their long-term reliance on him.
Thus far in training camp, Graham has undoubtedly been the best draft selection. This offseason, the Browns signed veteran Maliek Collins, who will start behind Graham. Additionally, they have veteran Shelby Harris, hybrid edge and interior lineman Sam Kamara, and 2024 seventh-round pick Jowon Briggs, who consistently makes The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List.
Since the Browns’ season opener is about eight months after Hall was carted off, it might be a bit optimistic to think he would be ready to play against the Bengals. However, there is no urgency to get him back on the field too soon.
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