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Kevin Stefanski leaning on medical team as Browns CB Denzel Ward deals with 6th concussion
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- Kevin Stefanski leaning on medical team as Browns CB Denzel Ward deals with 6th concussion
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward remained in concussion protocol Monday with his sixth documented concussion , coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed. What it means for Ward's future wasn't something Stefanski wasn't willing to discuss.
"Yeah, I really lean on the medical team in these type of things," Stefanski said Monday on a Zoom call. "I support our players. I know Denzel's getting great care."
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Ward left Sunday's 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens with 10 minutes left in the third quarter after the Browns ' first defensive play of the quarter. He was not near the play, a sack by linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson , but left the field when the play was over.
The Macedonia native, Nordonia High School graduate and Ohio State University product spent the remainder of that defensive series, as well as the Browns' offensive series being examined in the blue medical tent on the sideline. With 7:41 remaining in the third quarter, he walked to the locker room accompanied by medical personnel, including the NFL's independent spotter.
Stefanski didn't know for certain when Ward actually sustained the concussion. He did appear to hit the ground hard as he was trying to break up Jackson's 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor with 27 seconds remaining in the first half.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) catches a touchdown as Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) defends Sunday in Cleveland.
After initially listing him as questionable to return, the Browns downgraded him to out at the start of the fourth quarter. They initially said he was being evaluated for a possible head injury, although Stefanski confirmed after the game he had indeed been diagnosed with a concussion.
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"I really haven't had a chance to talk to Denzel," safety Juan Thornhill said Monday. "I'm pretty sure Denzel and the training staff, they're going to do everything possible to protect him. I just hope they go about it the right way."
It's the second concussion Ward has sustained since the start of training camp. He said after suffering one in August he would change helmets to a model the NFL has deemed safer than the previous model he was wearing.
Ward said in August he wasn't going to wear a Guardian cap in games. The league mandates most players wear the protective helmet covering in practice, but has allowed it to be up to the player for game usage.
"I think the league has done a great job with their protocol when it comes to concussions," Stefanski said. "We follow it very, very closely, just like every team does. I'll trust in that part of this."
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Owusu-Koramoah has been the only Browns player to wear the Guardian cap in games. He sustained a neck injury in a collision with Ravens running back Derrick Henry in the third quarter Sunday and was taken to a local hospital for overnight evaluation.
Ward's concussion history, at least in the NFL, dates back to his rookie season in 2018 when he sustained two concussions within a few weeks of each other in December.
The third concussion happened during the 2022 season, and he had his fourth during the Browns' 2023 preseason finale at the Kansas City Chiefs , although he was back in time for the regular-season opener two weeks later.
The most recent one before Sunday happened on Aug. 12 during a training camp practice. He was guarding teammate Elijah Moore during 11 on 11 drills when Moore caught a pass in front of him.
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As the two fell, the back of Ward's head hit the turf. He got up slowly after that, and remained on one knee for some time. He remained in the concussion protocol until Aug. 29.
"I know people worry about the number and everything, but can't let that affect me," Ward said on Aug. 29. "I still come out here, I'm looking forward again. I'm glad to be back and playing and, yeah, I can't let the receivers off that easy in this league. So looking forward again to getting out there and giving them a hard time."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Denzel Ward remains in protocol after Browns CB's 6th concussion
