Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Denzel Ward had missed two consecutive games with a concussion. He returned to practice this week and appeared in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The return may prove to be short-lived. He left during the fourth quarter of the game with an apparent upper body injury.

Free safety Damarious Randall missed a tackle on Cincinnati tight end CJ Uzomah when Ward approached to push him out of bounds. The rookie did not look prepared and made a poor form tackle on the big bodied pass catcher. It was clear immediately that his bell was rung. The referee came over immediately and pulled him from the game.

His season is likely over.

Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis is a fan of the way the Ohio State product has played this season.

“I think Denzel has displayed the confidence that you knew he had in watching him play, grow up and develop in Columbus when he got to play as a young player there at Ohio State. It has never been too big for him. When you come play corner in the National Football League, that is the kind of skills and tone you have to have and characteristics and personality that you have to have in order to be a productive and strong corner here in the league.”

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Inside linebacker Joe Schobert has noticed teams throwing in the rookie's direction a lot less over the course of the season.

“Even earlier in the year, that is when he was getting a lot of his interceptions the first couple of games. When you do not get thrown at as a corner, that is kind of a sign of respect that other teams are not trying to test you and allow you to make plays on the ball. Obviously, as a rookie coming into the NFL, a corner is probably the second hardest position to play besides quarterback because of the change in ball skills and the elite athletes that are at wide receiver on every team. Every team across the NFL has a bunch of elite athletes at wide receiver who have ball skills, which you are not really used to in college. He has done a great job of stepping into that role this year for us.”

Ward was recently voted to the NFL Pro Bowl as a starter. The No. 4 overall selection has recorded 48 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble, 11 pass deflections and a blocked field goal attempt. He was twice named the NFL Rookie of the Week.

Cleveland has one final game remaining against the Baltimore Ravens, who are still competing for a playoff berth.