Browns without CB Denzel Ward, WR KhaDarel Hodge for Titans game

The Cleveland Browns will be without two key figures for Sunday's game at the Tennessee Titans that will feature a pair of 8-3 clubs. 

Andrew Gribble of the official Browns website confirmed on Friday afternoon that cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) are out. Both absences were expected earlier in the week. 

Ward injured the calf in Cleveland's 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles back on Nov. 22 and missed last Sunday's 27-25 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to ESPN stats, the 23-year-old is tied for second in the NFL with 15 passes defended this season. Ward has also contributed 38 total tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. 

Hodge, who was sidelined for more than a month earlier this season because of a hamstring issue, has only nine catches for 155 yards on the year, but he tallied six of those receptions over the past two contests. Quarterback Baker Mayfield targeted Hodge eight times over those wins. 

With Odell Beckham Jr. lost for the year, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones are Cleveland's top available receivers heading into the weekend. Landry had eight catches for 143 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville. 

It's not all bad news for Cleveland, as star pass-rusher Myles Garrett is off the reserve/COVID-19 list after missing the last two games.