CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski ruled cornerback Denzel Ward and receiver KhaDarel Hodge out for Monday night’s game against the Ravens while tight end Austin Hooper is questionable.
Ward will miss his third straight game with a calf injury suffered Nov. 22 in a win over the Eagles while Hodge will miss a second straight due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice on Dec. 3.
Stefanski indicated earlier in the week that there was a chance that Ward might return Monday.
“He’s working hard,” Stefanski said. “He’s moving around. He’s progressing, about where you’d expect so it didn’t happen this week but I’m definitely hopeful for next week.”
Hodge missed four weeks earlier this year on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
Stefanski is holding out hope that Hooper will be able to play.
“I don’t know,” Stefanski said. “I can’t put odds on it. We’ll see. I think the next 24-48 hours we’ll monitor it and then make a decision before game time.”
The Browns’ head coach was unsure of when Hooper suffered a neck injury, but it is not as severe as the one that saw receiver Taywan Taylor land on injured reserve.
“It kind of popped up, if you will,” Stefanski said.
“If it was, we’d rule him out for the game so he’s truly questionable.”
Hooper missed two games last month after undergoing an appendectomy, a situation that didn’t present itself until late in the week.
“It’s not ideal but we’ve been here before and we’ll just make sure that if we don’t have Hoop, we’ve got guys that are ready to go,” Stefanski said. “If we do have him, we’re full speed ahead.”
Waiting on Teller – Right guard Wyatt Teller remains a possibility Monday night and he could be activated from the reserve COVID-19 list Sunday or Monday.
“We’re right on schedule in that regard but as you know it’s kind of wait and see mode there,” Stefanski said.
Hall Activated – Receiver Marvin Hall, claimed off waivers this week from Detroit, was activated from the exempt list Saturday.
It has yet to be determined if they’ll look for him to be active or contribute Monday night.
“We’re having those discussions as we speak in terms of his role,” Stefanski said. “He’s a speedster, has made a bunch of plays over his career so we’ll where he fits in.”
Get the Cup – Stefanski closed out his Saturday Zoom video conference with well wishes for the Columbus Crew, who play Saturday night for the MLS Cup.
“Go get the MLS Cup,” Stefanski said.
The Crew are owned and operated by the Haslam Sports Group, which also owns the Browns.
Injury Report – OUT: CB Denzel Ward (calf), WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: TE Austin Hooper (neck); EXPETCED TO PLAY: RT Jack Conklin (knee), C JC Tretter (knee); FULL: WR Jarvis Landry (hip)