BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns starting defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and top cornerback Denzel Ward will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots with injuries.
What You Need To Know
- Jadeveon Clowney and Denzel Ward will miss Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots
- Clowney has been dealing with ankle, knee and elbow issues
- Ward is recovering from a concussion he sustained last week
Clowney has been dealing with ankle, knee and elbow issues this week and was limited in practice. He came back after missing two games with an ankle injury and played last week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t reveal Friday if Clowney suffered any setbacks, just that he isn’t ready to play.
“As you know, you want all of your guys to make it to the game,” Stefanski said. “This is the league. Guys are injured. It happens to every team. You lose a guy sometimes in pregame. Sometimes you lose them during practices. You just have to move on.”
With Clowney out, the Browns’ pass rush isn’t the same as teams can double- and triple-team star Myles Garrett. He’ll play against the Patriots after being rested this week with some lingering injuries from a car crash last month.
Ward has not cleared concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the fourth quarter while trying to make a tackle last week. The two-time Pro Bowler has been in the league’s protocols since getting hurt.
This is Ward’s third concussion in the NFL. He had two during his rookie season in 2018.
Rookie Martin Emerson Jr. will likely start in Ward’s spot opposite cornerback Greg Newsome Jr. Greedy Williams is also expected to return after being on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and can play outside when Newsome moves into the slot.
