The Cleveland Browns picked up a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8 before heading into their Week 9 bye. They were able to shut down the explosive Bengals’ offense, which was without wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase because of a hip injury.
Cleveland was without a key player of their own in cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward has been sidelined since Week 5 because of a concussion, but that absence looks like it will be coming to an end.
Ward finally returned to practice this week and he told reporters on Thursday that he will be back on the field with his teammates this weekend. Ward has 21 tackles, one interception, six passes defended and a fumble recovery which he returned for a touchdown this season.
His return could not be coming at a better time as the Browns are going to face a stiff test on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Miami boasts the most efficient passing attack in the NFL as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has really come into his own this season after the upgrades that were made this offseason.
Tyreek Hill has picked up right where he left off after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason as he leads the NFL with 76 receptions for 1,104 yards in nine games. What makes that even more impressive is the fact that it includes essentially three games that Tagovailia didn’t play in because of the scary concussion he suffered.
Across from Hill is the equally as explosive Jaylen Waddle. Waddle has 47 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns, already tying the total of scores he has as a rookie. The explosive duo routinely torches opposing secondaries as they have both surpassed the 100+ yard mark in the same game three times.
Ward is being thrown right into the fire after a lengthy absence, but he is more than up for the challenge of trying to shut down such a talented passing team.
“These are games you make a name for yourself, so I’m looking forward to it,” Ward said, via 92.3 The Fan.
Getting Ward back in the lineup is a huge boost for a Browns’ team looking to make a run and keep things afloat until Deshaun Watson is eligible to return to the lineup following his suspension of 11 games.
