Denzel Ward in lineup for Browns in finale against Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH − Cornerback Denzel Ward will be in the starting lineup for the Browns when they close out the season on Sunday at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ward was listed as questionable coming into the day due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the third quarter of last week’s win at the Washington Commanders. The fifth-year pro out of Ohio State did not practice during the week, but was working off to the side with a trainer each day.
The last month has been Ward’s best of the season. Two of his three interceptions have come since Dec. 4, including on against Washington.
Ward also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown in that span against Houston. It’s one of two for the cornerback this season, with the other coming in the Browns’ first meeting with the Steelers on Sept. 22 in Cleveland.
Two Browns starters and one reserve had already been ruled out for the game before they departed Northeast Ohio for Pittsburgh on Saturday. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was ruled out due to a disciplinary reason, while right tackle Jack Conklin was sidelined with an ankle injury he suffered against Washington and rookie defensive end Isaiah Thomas is out with a foot injury.
Rookie Alex Wright will make his fifth start of the season against Pittsburgh, taking Clowney’s spot. Second-year right tackle James Hudson III will again be tasked with trying to slow down Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt — as he was in last season’s Week 17 matchup against them — in Conklin’s place.
The healthy inactive players for the Browns against Pittsburgh will be No. 3 quarterback Kellen Mond, running back/receiver Demetric Felton Jr., cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. and defensive tackle Ben Stille.
Tre Norwood inactive, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Myles Jack active for Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive back Tre Norwood, quarterback Mason Rudolph, linebacker Malik Reed, guard Kendrick Green, linebacker Tae Crowder and defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall were the inactive players for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Norwood had been inactive for two consecutive games after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Myles Jack will both be active. Both were listed as questionable coming into the game.
BROWNS INACTIVES
#8 QB Kellen Mond
#25 RB Demetric Felton Jr.
#31 CB Thomas Graham Jr.
#57 DT Ben Stille
#58 DE Isaiah Thomas
#78 T Jack Conklin
#90 DE Jadeveon Clowney
EXPECTED LINEUP CHANGES:
#66 James Hudson starts at RT
#94 Alex Wright starts at DE
FLIPCARD CHANGES:
Elevated #49 LB Storey Jackson and #92 DE Sam Kamara from practice squad
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