The story for the Cleveland Browns over the last few seasons has mostly been about injuries and the ability to either overcome them or failing to do so. Even this year’s quarterback competition, won by Joe Flacco, and backup quarterback competition have been marked by how injuries have impacted them.
On Tuesday, CB Denzel Ward left practice early with an arm/upper body injury that could have created significant problems for the defense. With CB Martin Emerson Jr. already lost for the season, losing Ward for a significant time would have greatly impacted the chance that the defense could carry the Browns this season.
Tuesday afternoon, we received an update on Ward’s injury. While not out of the woods officially, it seems Cleveland is expecting good news with their top cornerback:
Sources: #Browns 4x Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward, who left practice today with a shoulder injury, is not believed to have suffered anything serious.
He’s still undergoing more tests, but the belief is that he’ll be fine. pic.twitter.com/h5C3YPQraj
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 19, 2025
Ward started 16 games in 2024, the most in his seven-year career and led the NFL with 19 pass breakups, leading to another Pro Bowl season. The 28-year-old is under contract for two more seasons after this year after signing an extension to his rookie deal in 2022.
CB Greg Newsome II is set to start opposite Ward with CBs Myles Harden and Cameron Mitchell listed as the primary backups.
