CB Denzel Ward cleared concussion protocol, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday, and he will play in the home opener against the Bengals on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Ward entered concussion protocol following the final preseason game against the Chiefs. After being listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday of this week in preparation for the Bengals, Stefanski said that Ward was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Ward's return to the field is invaluable for the Browns, especially going against the Bengals' receiving corps.
"Denzel is a big part of what we do," Stefanski said. "So, excited that he was able to get out of concussion protocol safely and have a good week at practice. So, as you know, he's a big part of what we do. Good football player. We know what's at stake with their offensive attack, certainly with the guys that they have on the perimeter and in the slot. So it's a big boost."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their first regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Kicker Lucas Havrisik (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Hassan Hall (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (74) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
S Juan Thornhill (calf) was ruled questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals for Week 1.
Thornhill was limited in practice on Wednesday, and did not participate in practice on Thursday. Stefanski said that he was unclear of the exact day of when Thornhill sustained the calf injury.
"It's been something that I guess has been bothering him," Stefanski said on Friday. "So, being careful with him and we'll see how it goes in the next 48 hours."
If Thornhill is not available, the Browns have Rodney McLeod as an option at safety.
"That's why we went out and got Rodney," Stefanski said. "The ability to play — not even in this situation, but the ability to play, period — helps us in special teams. Very, very good in the meeting room. Unbelievable mentor to the young players. So, obviously very happy we have him."
