Denzel Ward injury update: Report and indicator of CB’s Saturday status

A vital piece of the Browns defense hurt his knee in the final practice Thursday and is questionable versus Texans

Just when Cleveland Browns fans thought things had turned around on the injury front with safety Grant Delpit being designated to return from injured reserve this week, another fear hit.

In the Browns final injury report before facing the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, not only did the team rule K Dustin Hopkins, WR Cedric Tillman and Delpit out for the game but CB Denzel Ward was listed as questionable. HC Kevin Stefansk provided little information on a knee injury Cleveland’s top corner suffered in practice.

Given the Browns injury history, many assumed the worst for Ward.

Friday, Ward posted a short video of him celebrating before a previous game that ended with “Let’s get it.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport then shared a confirming, optimistic report:

Cleveland fans won’t feel totally comfortable with “believed to be OK” but Ward’s post helps slightly. Fans may have more confidence because the team didn’t elevate a defensive back for Saturday either.

We will have inactive reports around 3 PM Saturday but expect a number of health-related posts prior to that.

With CJ Stroud and Nico Collins, how important do you think Ward’s availability is on Saturday?