Browns get potentially devastating news on Pro Bowler ahead of playoff game vs. Texans
Despite all their injuries , the Cleveland Browns miraculously finished the 2023 regular season with 11 wins and a playoff berth.
Just two days ahead of their road contest against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round, the Browns are yet again facing some potentially devastating injury news regarding one of their stars.
The update on Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward comes as a host of other Cleveland players have already been ruled out or are being listed as questionable for the game.
One of the biggest blows to the roster came in Week 2 of the team's "Monday Night Football" game against the Pittsburgh Steelers when star running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending torn MCL. Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson battled multiple injuries before finally being shut down for the year in November due to a shoulder ailment.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins is in his ninth NFL season and first with Cleveland, which has arguably been his best. At the time of his injury, he led the league with 33 field goals (in 36 attempts) and was a perfect 8-of-8 on tries from at least 50 yards away.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman registered 21 catches for 224 scoreless yards across 14 games (three starts) in 2023, while safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill join Ward in the starting secondary when healthy.
If he's unable to go against Houston, though, Ward may be the biggest loss of them all.
Despite missing four games this season, the 26-year-old finished with multiple interceptions (two) and at least 10 passes defended (11) for the sixth straight year to begin his career. Ward's 11 passes defended were second on the team and he earned his third Pro Bowl honor as well.
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