BEREA, Ohio — Denzel Ward is chasing a milestone he’s never reached in his eight-year NFL career: Playing in every regular season game.
So far, the Browns corner has suited up in all 13 — but last week in a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Ward exited with a calf injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.
That calf injury has become the latest obstacle on his way to achieving his goal.
Ward sat out practice on Wednesday as the team gears up for a road matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.
But he’s doing everything he can to play and keep his streak this season going, even showing up to his Wednesday media availability while actively doing a treatment on his left calf.
“I’m trying to get it together,” he said. “(M)ight need to borrow a calf this week, but I’ll be all right. Just trying to rehab it and get it as strong as possible.”
Throughout his career, Ward has missed time due to a number of injuries, including hamstring, calf and groin issues, concussions, and a shoulder injury that held him out in the final game of 2024. It was the only game of the year he missed, coming tantalizingly close to playing the entire season.
The added accomplishment of playing in all 17 regular-season games is another motivating factor for the four-time Pro Bowler, but so is the increased leadership role he’s taken.
Over the last two years in particular, Ward has made it a point to show up to every voluntary session in the offseason, wanting to lead by example.
Even with the Browns’ losing 3-10 record, and with the team out of the playoff picture, Ward wants to set that example now more than ever.
“This is a game I love,” Ward said. “I’m a leader for this football team and I just always want to be out there with my guys, by any means necessary. So always fighting to get on the field, stay on the field, and I know I could bring to this game when I’m out there. So yeah, it’s always fight.”
If Ward is able to play this weekend, he will have to try to shut down one of the preeminent escape artists in the NFL in Bears QB Caleb Williams. Williams has thrown for 2,908 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He’s added 321 yards and three TDs on 65 carries.
“Like a magician back there, just play’s never over,” Ward said. “Kind of similar to (Ravens QB) Lamar Jackson, able to escape the pocket very well and still keeping his eyes downfield and able to make a great throw down the field on the run and on the move and he’s looking good, looking like a good player for those guys.”
The Browns defense will also need to try and respond after a poor performance on the ground against the Titans.
They gave up 184 yards on the ground, tying a season-worst output.
The Bears currently have the No. 2 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 152.6 yards per game.
“We definitely can’t let it carry over another week, so we got to find a way to eliminate the run game,” Ward said. “They’re going to try to come out and run the ball. Like I said, they got a good run team and it’s going to be our job to stop that, on everybody.”
The Browns hope their Warden will be out there to help carry some of the load.
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