The Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator will add some experience to the secondary with Duron Harmon.
The Cleveland Browns signed Duron Harmon on Wednesday, bolstering their league-leading NFL defense that is performing despite some injuries.
Harmon last played for the Chicago Bears, appearing in three games this season and starting one.
He also played for the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions.
However, most of Harmon’s time in the NFL was spent with the New England Patriots.
He spent seven seasons in New England and won three Super Bowls.
Harmon recorded 407 tackles, 23 interceptions and 43 passes defensed in 164 career games.
Harmon arrives following a season-ending injury to veteran Rodney McLeod.
He suffered a biceps injury in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 19. McLeod has played in all 10 games with five starts this season.
He recorded 23 tackles and one pass defended. The 12-year veteran joined the Browns as a free agent in May.
Juan Thornhill, another addition at safety this offseason, is also sidelined. He is struggling with a calf injury and did not train on Wednesday. Not even Grant Delpit, who is in the midst of a breakout season.
“We’ll see,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of their status. “Is Wednesday.”
If both Delpit and Thornhill can’t go, D’Anthony Bell and rookie Ronnie Hickman — both undrafted — would be in line to start.
The Browns also designated linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk to return from injured reserve, which was crucial for Anthony Walker Jr.
Browns CB Denzel Ward may miss time due to injury.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward.
The Browns could also be without another key member of their secondary: cornerback Denzel Ward.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Pro Bowl cover man is facing some uncertainty regarding a shoulder injury.
“The Browns are still determining the nature and extent of the injury which may involve the labrum,” Cabot reported on Wednesday, November 22.
“The Browns are determining whether he will miss multiple games and how they will handle the loss of their No. 1 corner – even for a short time – if that is the case.
Ward has recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions this season.
Fortunately for the Browns, they have two very capable cornerbacks, Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson Jr., who could hold down the fort if Ward is unable to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Newsome praised the “brotherhood” within the team for allowing them to stay afloat despite some significant injuries on both sides of the ball.
“It shows the resilience, not just of the offense, but of the team,” Newsome said Monday, Nov. 20.
“I think when we’re all together, we don’t separate ourselves as offense and defense. Let’s just find a way.
And we saw that we lost a lot of great players this season, but I think that’s just a credit to what we built in the offseason and it’s just that brotherhood.
Joe Flacco begins first practice with Browns
Offensively, the Browns are trying to fill the void left by quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury.
The team signed veteran Joe Flacco this week and began its first practice Wednesday.
Flacco has an extensive resume and has made it clear that he still feels like he can make a difference.
“I’m still having a lot of fun,” Flacco told reporters after practice. “I feel like I still have a lot left in the tank, so I owe it to myself to keep moving forward and try to play the game that I love until I really don’t have any more feel like I could do it.”
The Browns are starting rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson this week, but Flacco could get the nod if the rookie stumbles.
J.R. DeGroote covers the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com.
As a reporter for West Hawaii Today, he has covered local and national sports and has decades of experience in digital media with previous stints at SB Nation and Bleacher Report.
He has won several state, regional and national awards for sports reporting and photography. Learn more about J.R. DeGroote
