It sounds as if Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward avoided a major neck injury in the Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Ward reportedly suffered a minor neck strain, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and is expected to be fine moving forward. Whether or not that means Ward will be available for Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers remains to be seen, though.
Ward was checked for a concussion in the first half after he took a direct shot to his helmet while trying to tackle Ravens wideout Zay Flowers. Baltimore offensive tackle Ronnie Staley rammed into Ward with his helmet, but no penalty was called on the play. Although Ward was cleared for a concussion, he did not return with what the Browns called a neck injury.
Cleveland would certainly like Ward for their AFC North bout with the Steelers, but the secondary played well even without him against the Ravens. Fellow cornerbacks Mike Ford Jr. and Greg Newsome II snagged Lamar Jackson interceptions and Newsome II took his back for a touchdown to draw the Browns within one point.
Ward’s status will be a big question all week and it won’t be the only one for the Browns.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was seen with a walking boot on his left foot after the game, will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of an apparent ankle injury. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the team would know more by Wednesday. The status of safety Juan Thornhill, who also left Sunday’s game with a calf injury, is also unknown.
