CLEVELAND — Following their preseason opener, the Cleveland Browns secondary will receive a boost on when Denzel Ward returns to the practice field.
Just ahead of their practice on Monday, the Browns announced that they have activated Ward from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The two-time Pro Bowl selection had been sidelined through the first three weeks of training camp while dealing with a foot injury he suffered on the final day of organized team activities (OTAs) in June.
Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said that while Ward won't be full-go, he will participate in portions of the Browns' practice on Monday afternoon.
Ward's return to the practice field should only further upgrade a Cleveland secondary that has already emerged as one of the team's strengths to this point in training camp. Even without Ward on the field, the Browns have been able to rely on 2021 first-round pick Greg Newsome II, veteran Greedy Williams and 2022 third-round pick Martin Emerson Jr., as well as training camp standout A.J. Green.
Parnell Motley, Herb Miller, Shaun Jolly and Lavert Hill round out the list of cornerbacks currently on Cleveland's roster. NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to trim their preseason rosters from 90 to 85 players.
Ward's return to the practice field comes nearly four months after he agreed to a five-year, $100.5 million extension with the Browns, which will keep him under contract in Cleveland through the 2027 season. The Macedonia native and Ohio State product is entering his fifth season with the Browns after being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.