Denzel Ward was back at Cleveland Browns practice on Wednesday, the first time in two weeks the team’s top cornerback was on the field with teammates. After missing the last two games while suffering from COVID-19, Ward was appreciative of being able to return.
“I’m excited just to be back on the football field,” Ward said with a smile radiating above his mask he donned while doing his Zoom with reporters. Ward and fellow CB Kevin Johnson were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday in time to practice.
He acknowledged doing extra conditioning while he was isolated from his team. It wasn’t an easy process.
“It was a little rough,” Ward said when asked about his COVID-19 symptoms and experience. “I lost my sense of smell, sense of taste … it wasn’t great. I’m glad I got over it and hoping everybody still continues to stay safe and wears a mask and tries to beat it. I started feeling better after I started getting a lot of fluids in my system and took some medicines to try to get rid of the headaches and stuff like that. After a few days, I was feeling OK.”
Ward returns just in time for the Browns’ divisional round matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. No. 21 was respectful towards Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs'[lawrence-related id=57782] high-powered offense, but he’s ready to rise to the challenge and believes his teammates will be too.