BEREA — Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward may play when the Browns travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday. Safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman will not, though.
Meanwhile, the wait for running back Nick Chubb's game return will continue on for another week.
The return of Ward to the practice field on Friday despite a hamstring injury was enough to earn him a questionable tag on the injury status report. The three-time Pro Bowler had not practiced either Wednesday or Thursday after having left last Sunday's loss at the Washington Commanders late in the first half.
Ward was one of four Browns who were listed as questionable, along with defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr., linebackers Jordan Hicks and Mohamoud Diabate. Delpit and Hickman joined center Ethan Pocic (knee), Chubb (knee), running back Nyheim Hines (knee) and offensive tackle James Hudson III — who underwent shoulder surgery Thursday — as those listed as out for the game.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin was not listed for the first time all season, meaning he should be able to play for the first time this season. Tight end David Njoku also was not listed, meaning neither the ankle nor the knee injuries he was battling will keep him out.
Chubb remains within his 21-day return to practice window, which opened on Oct. 2. The Browns have until Oct. 23 to activate him from the physically unable to perform list.
Ward's availability will be critical against an Eagles passing game which is expected to return wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith this week. While Philadelphia had a bye last week, Brown (hamstring) and Smith (concussion) were nursing injuries.
The status of Ward will be even more important because of the absence of both Delpit (concussion) and Hickman (ankle). They had been the Browns' starting safeties in their base package since Hickman replaced Juan Thornhill after Thornhill went on injured reserve on Sept. 11.
Rodney McLeod and D'Anthony Bell are the starters in their place. The Browns likely would elevate a safety, either Chris Edmonds or the recently-signed Trey Dean, off the practice squad to the gameday roster.
Not far behind the two safeties' absences will be the impact of not having Pocic at center. Nick Harris will start in his place, one of potentially multiple new starters on the offensive line.
Right guard Zak Zinter has been limited this week in practice with a knee issue. That could open the door for Michael Dunn, who returned from the non-football illness list last week, to start there.
Conklin will make his season debut after having missed the first five games. The first two games were part of his return from last season's knee injury, while the last three have been due to a hamstring injury he suffered the Friday before the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants.
(This story was updated with new information.)
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Denzel Ward questionable, while no Nick Chubb or Grant Delpit for Browns vs. Eagles
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