Report: Browns' Denzel Ward Plans to Continue NFL Career After 5th Concussion

Despite suffering the fifth concussion of his career earlier in August, Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has no plans of stepping away from the NFL.

Per Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams, Ward said he is not concerned about continuing his career and is hoping doctors will clear him for the Browns' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8.

Ward suffered the concussion during a one-on-one drill with Elijah Moore in the Browns' Aug. 12 practice. Both players were wearing guardian caps during the drill.

In April, the NFL adjusted its rules to allow players the option of wearing Guardian Caps during regular season games. The league mandated players at certain positions to wear Guardian Caps during training camp in 2022 and 2023. According to NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller, the padded helmet protection contributed to a nearly 50 percent reduction in concussions for the position groups that wore them during those training camps.

But even with the statistics showing added protection from wearing Guardian Caps, Ward said in July that he didn't plan to wear one.

"As of right now, no," Ward said last month. "And I know I got a few concussions, but I don't go out there thinking about the concussions. I did a lot of research over the season and the offseason on concussions and just how to treat them and stuff like that. So yeah, I'm not too concerned about it going out there. I go out there play fast, play hard, and try to win games. That's not my focus on whether I may not get a concussion. I mean, you don't know what's going to happen out there. The game happens so fast, but yeah, I'm not real worried about it."

Whether his latest concussion will change his mind is to be determined.

Ward suffered a concussion in preseason last year and missed three games with concussions in both 2022 and 2018. Last season, Ward had 34 tackles, a forced fumble and a pair of interceptions.