BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns were not happy having to watch rookie cornerback Denzel Ward, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, gingerly walk off of the field at FirstEnergy Stadium because of a back injury suffered in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday night.
And a lot of their frustration came from the way that Ward tackled Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who plowed through the first-year defensive back for extra yardage before being brought down to the turf.
“Maybe, he’ll finally listen to me and stop doing those stupid things the way he’s trying to tackle and tackle the way I tell him to tackle and he won’t get hurt,” Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said following Sunday’s practice.
“Rookies have to understand this is not a scholarship league. You have to stay healthy and be on the field. If you’re not on the field, then you’re not helping us, and that’s what you have to do. You have to be on the field and play.”
On first-and-10 from the Philadelphia 41-yard line, quarterback Nick Foles completed a pass in the right flat to Ertz. After securing the catch, Ertz spun to move up the field as Ward broke off coverage from a wide receiver near the sideline to make the tackle.
Ward’s facemask collided with Ertz’s shoulder, but when the first-year defender fell to the turf, he grabbed at his back and remained down on the ground for several minutes while being tended to by the Browns’ medical staff.
Ward was able to get up to his feet and walk to the sideline with the assistance of medical personnel, but missed the remainder of the game because of what Coach Hue Jackson described as back spasms.
“At this level, you have to stay healthy every day,” Williams said. “As a pro, you have to understand there are so many things you have to do in a 24-hour day that it’s your job to stay healthy.
“I tell them all the time, there’s two words that begin with the letter A they have to own to be a professional football player. One’s accountable. The next one’s available. When you’re not available, you’re working on your training-room internships.”
Playing behind first-round picks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore in each of his first two years in Columbus, Ward blossomed into a No. 1 cornerback for the Buckeyes ahead of the 2017 season, and by the end of the year, was a consensus All-American in the secondary.
Ward finished his final season at Ohio State with 30 solo stops, seven assists, two tackles for lost yardage, two interceptions and 15 passes defended.
Over 26 career games in three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ward registered 47 solo tackles, 20 assists, two stops for lost yardage, two interceptions and 24 passes defended.
“He needs to make sure he’s doing all the things he needs to do to stay on the field," Williams said. "Otherwise, hey, he’s not a football player.”
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