Browns starting cornerback Denzel Ward has shown resilience yet again, diagnosed with his fifth known concussion after an intense August 12 practice session. But fear not, fans, Ward is taking it in stride and remains steadfast in his dedication to his career. If all goes according to plan, doctors will give him the green light just in time for the epic season opener on September 8 against the Cowboys.
Training Camp Trials
The fourth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft found himself at the wrong end of a one-on-one drill, targeting wide receiver Elijah Moore. As fate would have it, the back of his helmet met the ground with an unforgiving thud. Both Ward and Moore sported Guardian caps during the drill—a modern-day knight’s armor, if you will—to mitigate head injuries. Nonetheless, Ward’s tenacity shined through despite this setback.
Will He Don the Guardian Cap in Games?
Initially, Ward mentioned during the first week of training camp that he had no plans to wear the Guardian cap in games, even though league rules now permit it. His insouciant stance was clear: “As of right now, no,” he said firmly last month. “I know I got a few concussions, but I don’t go out there thinking about that. I did a lot of research over the offseason on how to treat them and all. So yeah, I’m not too concerned about it. I go out there, play fast, play hard, and try to win games. That’s my focus. You never know what’s going to happen out there.”
“The game happens so fast,” Ward added. “But yeah, I’m not real worried about it.”
A Warrior on the Field
Ward’s history with concussions is no secret. A notable concussion during the preseason finale in 2023 had fans holding their breath. In 2022, another concussion sidelined him for three games, and let’s not forget, he missed three games back in 2018 for the same reason. Yet here he is, steadfast and unwavering, ready to give it his all once more.
With the heart of a lion and the prowess of a seasoned gladiator, Denzel Ward stands tall, casting aside doubts and marching forward to the battlefield that is the football field. Browns fans, let’s rally behind our stalwart cornerback as he prepares to shut down the opponent’s offense. September 8 can’t come soon enough!
