Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward says he didn’t consider retiring after his latest NFL concussion

BEREA, Ohio — Denzel Ward hasn’t lost his passion for football despite its dangers.

The three-time Pro Bowl cornerback from Cleveland said Thursday he hadn’t considered retiring until two weeks ago when he suffered at least his fifth documented concussion since being drafted by the Browns in 2018.

Ward returned to practice Wednesday and was fully cleared from concussion protocol Thursday after being sidelined since Aug. 12.

“It’s a game I love, man,” Ward said after practice. “I love playing the game, being around the guys here. I really don’t see myself doing much else. So unless I’m really physically unable to play the game, I don’t see myself stepping away from football anytime soon.”

Ward suffered his final head injury when he struck the back of his head on the ground. Although he was wearing a padded protective cap over his helmet at the time, it did not prevent the injury.

The league requires players to wear padded caps in practice, and some have continued to wear them in preseason games.

Although Ward doesn’t plan on wearing a goalie cap during a game, he was fitted with a new helmet that he says will better protect his head in the future.

The 27-year-old is aware of the risks he takes every time he steps on the field. He suffered two concussions as a rookie, one in 2022, another last year and the most recent one.

Ward said he consulted with a concussion specialist during the offseason to learn more about the potential long-term consequences of head injuries. He is confident he is not doing anything that will jeopardize his future and believes today’s players are better trained and better equipped.

“We are able to treat concussions,” he said. “What I’ve learned is that every concussion is a specific concussion and you have to give it time to heal, and then once the injury is healed and ready to go, once you come back here, you’re fine.

“It’s not like concussions just pile up on top of each other, if you give them time to heal. I think in the past, players would have problems a long time ago, they’d have a concussion, it wasn’t completely healed, and then they’d go right back on the field and play.”

Ward said his family was visibly concerned for his well-being. He took his brother and mother to a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh.

“That’s the biggest thing, is to reassure them,” said Ward, one of five players selected as captains for this season. “They were worried and everything, but they’ll get through it.”

As for his own peace of mind, Ward said it’s not hard to dismiss the possibility of getting hurt. It’s part of the job.

“It’s not hard for me at all when I’m here,” he said. “I’m a football player, that’s what I’ve loved to do since I was little, so that’s the only thing I wanted to do. I’m playing my dream. So when I’m here, I’m not thinking, ‘Oh, I might get hurt or get a concussion.’”

“I go out there and my main focus is on winning and having fun, so it’s not too hard for me to put that behind me.”