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Denzel Ward back on practice field for Cleveland Browns after concussion
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- Denzel Ward back on practice field for Cleveland Browns after concussion
BEREA — Denzel Ward was back on the practice field for the Browns on Wednesday, the first time he's been on the field in more than two weeks. It was progress toward the three-time Pro Bowl cornerback being ready for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys .
Head coach Kevin Stefanski would not say that Ward had completely cleared the concussion protocol. However, he was cleared to practice, which is one of the final steps in the protocol.
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"Yeah, he's doing well," Stefanski said after Wednesday's practice. "As you know, he's progressing. Certain benchmarks you need to hit and that type of thing, but he is doing well."
It was Ward's fifth documented concussion since the Browns made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Nordonia High School and Ohio State University product sustained two within a couple of games in December of his rookie season, then had one in 2022.
The last time Ward had a concussion came last Aug. 26, when he left the Browns' 2023 preseason finale at the Kansas City Chiefs with one. He was in the protocol until the Friday prior to their regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals .
"The Warden's that guy," defensive Denzel Tomlinson said Wednesday. "It means a lot to see him back out here healthy and everything, running around. Just you're happy to see your guys get back on the field, your brothers you play with and everything. All of us are happy to be back out here."
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 01: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns runs onto the field prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Ward being back on the field is another positive injury note for the Browns heading into the opener. Dallas boasts one of the most talented passing games in the league, led by quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb .
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Ward's return comes a day after cornerback Greg Newsome II practiced for the first time this preseason. Newsome spent all of training camp recovering from July hamstring surgery.
"I'm a competitor and he aligns a lot in that slot," Newsome said of Lamb, "so I'll definitely be excited to go against him."
Ward had been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during training camp practice on Aug. 12. He was going to defend a pass against teammate Elijah Moore and his head hit the ground as the two fell.
Both players at the time were wearing the protective Guardian Caps. The league has mandated that all offensive/defensive linemen, linebackers, tight ends, running backs, wide receiver and defensive backs wearing those over their helmets during practice.
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"It is hard to worry about somebody who works so hard," Tomlinson said. "I know he was going to take it one day at a time and come back when he was right. When you know somebody on that level and then you know how hard he works and the work he puts in every day, it is hard to hold somebody back like that."
Ward earned his third Pro Bowl berth last season. He had two interceptions and one forced fumble, as well as 11 passes defensed for the Browns, who finished with the league's No. 1-ranked pass defense.
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 back on practice field for Browns after concussion
