Cleveland Browns fans have been left dismayed over an image that has emerged of cornerback Denzel Ward. 

To say that this offseason has been chaotic for the Cleveland Browns might be something of an understatement. There is the controversy that is surrounding presumed starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and his accusations of sexual misconduct, whilst they are struggling to get rid of last season’s starter Baker Mayfield despite reports that there are teams out there who are willing to bring him on board. 

The last thing that they need is for something else to come along and make things even worse for them and their preparations for the 2022 NFL season, a season in which they’ll be hoping to get back on track after finishing 2021 with a losing record, this after one of the best seasons in the team’s recent history in 2020 when they won their first playoff game since 1994. 

However, news that is emerging regarding Denzel Ward might not be the thing that they wanted to see happen next. 

A key piece of the Browns puzzle

The 25-year-old Ward, taken in the first round of the 2018 draft has certainly proved his worth to the Browns over the years, being one of the critical players on defence that has helped turn them from a laughing stock around the league into a contender in the AFC North.

With 186 combined tackles in the regular season to go along with 50 pass deflections, 10 interceptions and 2 pick-sixes, he has become one of the most productive cornerbacks in the league. This meant that when the Browns gave him a $100.5m contract back in April, you could certainly say that it was well-deserved.

But his preparation for 2022 looks as if it might have hit a small bump in the road.

What’s happened?

Posting on Twitter, Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot relayed a photo that she had been given by photographer Joshua Gunter of Ward in practice, but it wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. Cabot explained in her tweet that Ward appeared to be in some discomfort and had to walk away from practice at the Browns’ facility:

This news did not go down well with a number of fans who saw it appear on their timeline:

The fact that he managed to walk it off, even if it was slowly, should be some crumb of comfort to the fans as it doesn’t seem too serious right now. You just have to hope that it isn’t something that keeps him away from the field for too long.

Because if Ward isn’t fully prepared for the season when it starts, that puts the Cleveland secondary at a major disadvantage.