Two NFL Wards Trending Toward Game Availability

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, who missed Wednesday practice with shoulder and toe issues and has a concussion history, practiced Thursday and said he expects to play Sunday in Detroit — significant because Martin Emerson Jr. is out for the season and Cleveland’s outside corner depth is thin. Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward was limited Wednesday with ankle and calf concerns but was upgraded to a full practice Thursday and is expected to start Sunday against the Texans. Cam has completed 54.5% of his passes for 506 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through three games. Tennessee is also monitoring protection concerns after injuries to linemen such as JC Latham and Kevin Zeitler, and coach Brian Callahan has shifted play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree. Both teams appear to be trending toward having their respective Wards available while continuing to manage related injuries and depth implications.