The Cleveland Browns are set to head to Houston to take on the Texans in the first game of Super Wild Card Weekend. An exciting matchup that pits a young rookie phenom quarterback against an elite-level defense is a great way to kick off an excellent weekend of action in the NFL.
The Browns will look to contain rookie C.J. Stroud on Saturday and will need all hands on deck to do so. But will they have star cornerback Denzel Ward out there to help? Let’s dive deeper into Ward’s availability and whether the Browns will have him out there for the playoff matchup.
Denzel Ward Injury Update
The Browns went into the week not at all worried about Ward and his availability. Then, a Thursday practice occurred, and all that changed.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Ward suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s practice, and as a result, he will be listed as questionable heading into the game against the Texans.
“Something with his knee, he was limited,” Stefanski said. “I don’t really have an update past that.”
Any injury is no good, but having a midweek injury for one of your star defensive backs ahead of a playoff game is high up on the list of things you don’t want to see.
Will Ward Play Against the Texans?
Nothing has been set in stone as far as Ward and his availability, but the growing sentiment around the team is that he will give it a shot and be out there for his teammates. Like most injuries, a pregame workout can change everything. Ward will be closely monitored as the game draws closer.
The Browns’ defense has looked different without Ward on the field this year. There has been a clear drop-off in defensive production in games he missed.
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In the 13 games Ward has played, the Browns have gone 10-3 and have only surrendered 155 passing yards per game and 13 total passing touchdowns. Comparatively, in the four games he missed, the team went 1-3 and surrendered 196 passing yards per game and 10 total passing touchdowns.
This is still a good Browns defense with or without Ward on the field. Nonetheless, it is clear they are an entirely different unit when he’s available.
Who Would Step Up in His Absence?
If Ward were to miss this weekend’s matchup, the Browns would need to call on someone else to step up in his absence. The person who would presumably get the first crack would be Martin Emerson Jr.
Emerson is in his second season with the Browns after being drafted out of Mississippi State. He has appeared in 16 games thus far this season and has four interceptions as well as 59 total tackles.
The young cornerback has been productive, and he was always going to factor into the game plan no matter what. However, if Ward cannot go, his role would certainly intensify in this do-or-die playoff game.
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