Denzel Ward's reputation as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL is well-known and well-earned.
Ward, in his ninth season with the Browns, ranked seventh among all the cornerbacks in the league when ESPN conducted a poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts ahead of training camp this summer.
"If Ward played in Kansas City or New England, he'd be the talk of the NFL," an unnamed NFL personnel evaluator said in the ESPN survey. "He doesn't get the credit he should. Twitch or closing speed, there's no one better. He closes faster than anyone I've ever seen. In coverage, that is a special trait."
Ward's primary job on Oct. 18 when the Browns host the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field will be reading quarterback Lamar Jackson and covering wide receiver Zay Flowers, but he will earn his hazard pay when he tries to tackle Derrick Henry.
Henry is 6-foot-3 and weighs 252 pounds standing still. He still weighs 252 pounds on the move — sort of like a freight train moving at full speed is more difficult to stop than when it pulls out of the station.
"He's a good running back, but for guys like us, just run, take a shot, go low and make a play," Ward, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, said Oct. 14 in the Browns locker room. "So no differently than other running backs, just got to wrap up and tackle and go low on them."
The Browns' defense could be severely under-manned when it faces the Ravens. Defensive tackle Mason Graham (knee, ankle), defensive tackle Mike Hall (ankle), linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (ankle) and defensive end Derek Barnett (ankle) did not practice Oct. 13.
"We're not going to rule anybody in or out today. But we've got a number of guys dealing with some minor issues, and we'll see today and the rest of the week," head coach Todd Monken said before practice.
Former Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah did not go low attempting to tackle Henry during a game with the Ravens in Cleveland on Oct. 27, 2024. JOK lowered his head and tried to ram it into Henry's right shoulder after Henry had run about 10 yards full steam ahead. Owusu-Koramoah's neck collapsed. It was the last play of his career.
Ward learned about how not to tackle the hard way. He was a concussion magnet early in his career. Former Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who served as interim head coach for the final eight games of 2018 in Denzel's rookie year, warned Ward he would have a short career if he did not refine his tackling technique instead of leading with his head. As it is, Ward has had six concussions throughout his NFL career. How many he suffered playing for Ohio State is unknown.
"I think I definitely improved," Ward said. "I think I've learned different ways of tackling over my years and how to secure and make a complete tackle, a good tackle, and just being smarter in decisions the way I tackle. But I think I've definitely grown and gotten better."
The Browns have faced Henry nine times. He has 120 carries for 521 yards and five touchdowns. Henry played six seasons with the Titans before signing with the Ravens in 2024.
Former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had mixed success facing Henry the last three years.
Henry was with the Titans in 2023. The Browns held him to 20 yards and no touchdowns in a game the Browns won, 27-3. Henry carried 11 times for 73 yards and a touchdown in a game the Browns won, 29-24, plus 20 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-10 loss in 2024.
The Ravens beat the Browns twice last season. Henry rushed 11 times for 23 yards in a 41-17 game and 18 times for 103 yards and a touchdown in a 23-16 final.
Ravens at Browns
When: 1 p.m. Oct. 18
Where: Huntington Bank Field
Records: Ravens 4-1, Browns 3-2
Betting line: Browns +5.5
TV: WJW/FOX
Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston
Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKKY-FM 104.7
